Chris Huhne talks Renewable Success at MTL Group

Rotherham, 21.10.2011. Energy Secretary Chris Huhne visited MTL Group’s new 300,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Rotherham to witness UK manufacturing at its best.

Following a £250,000 grant awarded to MTL Group in 2010 for developing the offshore wind supply chain in the UK, the Secretary of State was present at MTL Group’s £5m state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to support its manufacturing success in the offshore wind sector.

MTL Group is the market leader for supplying secondary steelwork and boat landing systems for offshore wind farms. The Group has just been awarded another substantial export contract to supply boat landing systems for the North Sea.

MTL Group has worked closely with DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) to strengthen the UK’s supply chain for secondary steelwork for the offshore wind sector.

MTL Group has invested heavily in state-of-the-art machinery that meets the requirements of this growing sector. Investments included a new Twin Head High Definition Plasma Cutter, a Robotic Plasma Pipe Cutter and additional handling equipment In April of this year MTL Group opened its second site, a quayside fabrication facility in Blyth, Northumberland that will focus supporting foundation manufacturers for the renewables sector.

The Energy Secretary took part in a tour of MTL Group’s manufacturing facility and was given an insight into MTL’s involvement in the offshore wind sector.

Huhne met the 16 new apprentices that MTL Group has recruited this year and heard how the Group is developing young talent to help underpin its growth plans. The Minister also saw the Group’s new welder training school which welcomed its first trainee on 12 September. 25 people are currently being recruited to pass though the school.

The recently announced Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone includes MTL Group’s site and the Energy Secretary discussed the significant opportunity for further job creation that this will bring to the local community.

Commenting on his visit, the Chris Huhne said: “I am determined that the UK obtains the maximum benefits from the green economy. So I was very pleased to hear of your recent export contract success, which follows your other success earlier this year. I am particularly impressed with the steps you have taken to bring forward the skilled staff that will be so important to us in the future.”

Also in attendance for the occasion were representatives of WeserWind GmbH Dirk. MTL Group has recently won a significant export order to supply secondary steelwork fabrications for Weserwind.

Managing Director of WeserWind Dirk Kassen said:“After having successfully entered the UK market in supplying Transition Pieces for Walney 1 Offshore Wind Farm, WeserWind have taken the decision to increase the depth of added value locally. Co-operations are initiated best with an ongoing project. Thus we were pleased to place an order for our German offshore wind projects with MTL for the supply of major components.”

Managing Director of MTL Group Dr. Henry Shirman said: “We are pleased to welcome the Secretary of State and express our thanks for the help that his department have given to MTL Group over the past year.

Renewables offers a tremendous opportunity for UK manufacturing and it is an area where we are already seeing significant growth in our business.

In the last six months we have increased our number of employees by 40 and now employ more than 350 people. The business continues to recruit skilled engineers and we will continue this pace of growth for the next six months.”