Addison Group is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of engineering services - supplying project and construction management, multi-disciplined design and technical engineering support services. Family owned, the Addison Group has over 30 years of experience and state-of-the-art facilities that support their innovative approach to engineering.
We spoke with Sophie Addison, Business Growth and Marketing Manager, and Cyril Clark, Financial Director at the Addison Group, to hear more about their companies success and the key role they play in the region’s strong engineering and advanced materials technologies cluster.
Tell us about Addison Group
“Addison Group is made up of 4 companies: Project, Precision, Engineering and the Academy.
“Addison Project provides solutions and management services to a wide range of engineering and construction projects. At Project, our extensive in-house capabilities and comprehensive approach ensures that problems are solved the smarter way, not just the obvious way.
“Addison Precision is a leading supplier of bespoke, precision-engineered component parts. We supply some of the world’s most respected names, for some of the most advanced applications in the industries we work in, out of our state-of-the-art facility in Thornton-Cleveleys.
“Addison Engineering offers hands-on engineering support services ranging from pipework and sheet metal fabrication to installation and site relocation, along with much more.
“Finally, we also have the Addison Academy Limited, which is a leading learning and development company specialising in bespoke delivery of training topics for internal clients and external clients, delivered by instructor-led training, e-learning and blended learning.
“We’re continuing to develop and expand our business and ensure that we remain a sustainable company that provides high-quality, value-for-money services to our expanding portfolio of customers across diverse market segments.
“To find out more about what we do, take a look at some of our most recent projects featured on our website here.”
Where are you based in Blackpool, Fylde or Wyre?
“Addison Group is mostly based in the HillHouse Business Park. We’ve always been located here since establishing in 1997 as part of our acquisition of the former ICI Hillhouse Engineering Group, and have continued to support and grow the region’s strong advanced materials technologies sector over the past 30 years.”
How big is the company?
“The company has a workforce of over 200, with an annual turnover in excess of £20m across the group. The workforce consists of both employees and contractors across various sites.”
Are there any new developments for your business?
“Over the past 12 months we have invested in technology and equipment, allowing us to strengthen the company and embrace the future.
It’s very important to us that we safeguard valuable jobs and reinvest profits back into the company for further investment. For example, we have invested in new Mazak machines which allow full automation of specific product lines.
“To complement these hardware investments, we have also introduced new computer software for improved real-time production scheduling. We have also recently completed the installation of a 350kW Solar Array on our facility’s roof. Having renewable and sustainable power, to support our energy requirements, will certainly provide cost advantages and reduce our CO2 impact on the environment.
“Addison Precision also played an immediate and key role in the Ventilator Challenge. Addison Precision holds an ISO 13485 accreditation (designing and manufacturing medical devices), and working alongside Rolls Royce, we had shift workers making parts 24/7 for a number of weeks in order to deliver components for such a nationally significant project.
“Addison Engineering also took on a new large-scale, high-value contract during Covid to build mini process plants (Skids), and we managed to deliver the project on a tight deadline despite the pandemic. The procedures and safety principles put in place by the group allowed the teams to work safely and still meet these tight deadlines. Addison Engineering’s work was then shared with other companies as a perfect example of how to safeguard the workforce, whilst working to tight deadlines.”
Tell us about your workforce
“Some of the workforce at Addison have been with us for a very long time, and our workforce is very much local, especially in regards to Addison Precision and Addison Engineering, with many commuting in from nearby areas such as Thornton, Fleetwood, Blackpool and Preston, along with some from Cheshire and Manchester.
“We recognised it is vital to keep our workforce skilled to the highest of industrial standards and technological improvements, and therefore offer in-house training through our dedicated Addison Academy. The Academy is a leading learning and development facility, specialising in the delivering top-class training.
“In addition, we have recently recruited a number of staff across Addison Precision, Addison Engineering and Addison Project, in the last few months. Our continued growth enables us to actively recruit positions, and we tend to try and recruit from the local area.”
Do you have any kind of relationship with local universities/schools?
“We have affiliations with Blackpool and Fylde College – in particular Addison Engineering, which has a large apprenticeship scheme. The HR department at Addison works with local colleges managing the apprenticeship schemes, and the group as a whole have had great success with this.
“We also have relationships with the University of Central Lancashire and Lancaster University through the Addison Academy.
“Addison also has successful relationships with local networks, such as the Fylde Responsible Business Network and The North West Aerospace Alliance, which allows the group to be part of wider initiatives to share knowledge and best practice.”
What has surprised you about Blackpool, Fylde or Wyre? What makes the area so unique? What is the unique benefit of the Blackpool area?
“After growing up in the area, there definitely is a friendly nature and high levels of community spirit. The enterprise zones showcase our expertise in engineering, manufacturing and aerospace sectors. The area has a strong community and drive for progress, and with the rich education available, many of us choose to stay and invest ourselves into the region.
“It’s also great to see the area is now receiving a lot of inward investment, and you can feel the buzz and excitement around the new developments and we are excited to be part of it!”
