Westlake Engineering

Three local West Cumbrian Undergraduates are just completing a summer of successful work experience at Westlakes Engineering – one of the few companies in the area to be offering paid work for engineering students. It is the third successive year that the company has taken on undergraduates – a policy they plan to continue because everyone has something to gain.

Since the company began 4 years ago, Westlakes Engineering has developed a philosophy of continuous professional on the job training to encourage retention of key skills in the local area. Their investment is now coming to fruition with Andrew Cartmel from Harington being the first of their staff to complete a degree in Civil Engineering and he has just graduated with honours.

The Westlakes Engineering training scheme is accredited by the Institute of Civil Engineers and last year they received recognition from the Royal Academy of Engineers who awarded them with a grant to support further staff development.

After lying dormant for almost 30 years, one of Whitehaven’s largest land assets is being transformed into a desirable development of 48 new homes. The project is being managed by local Civil, Structural and Architectural Engineering Company Westlakes Engineering Design Consultants, who were commissioned by developers The Rushcliffe Group.

The redundant four acre site has played a significant part in Whitehaven’s business success. It was once the Old Brick Works and for over 50 years was the home of ‘Lakeland Pennine’ the old laundry, before it closed in the early 1980’s leaving the site dormant.

Whilst the recession is hitting many companies hard, Westlakes Engineering Limited (WLE) is continuing to expand and diversify - symbolised by the launch of a new civil and structural design consultancy office in Manchester.

Westlakes Engineering Limited was formed almost 5 years ago by Managing Director Andy Hooper. Since then they have grown in to their Westlakes Science Park premises at Whitehaven, opened an office in Preston and expanded further in the North West with their new Mancunian office.

When consulting engineers Robert West Consulting (RWC) decided last Christmas to abandon business in the North West and retreat back to the south of England, their team of Civil and Structural Engineers in Manchester didn’t agree and demonstrated their faith in the region by taking over the local business and setting up a new company.

Branded ‘Westlakes Consulting’ the team in Manchester took the name after joining forces with another North West practice, Westlakes Engineering, who already have offices in Preston and Whitehaven and are one of the fastest growing civil and structural design consultancies in the UK.* The new, ‘Westlakes Consulting’ arm of the business will focus on building design and allow the company to operate right across the region.

West Cumbrian based James Fisher Nuclear Services (JFNS) has this week initiated a major project to significantly expand its engineering systems trials and testing capability in West Cumbria.

The project will include the build of a rig hall of nearly 1,000 square metres, 21m high with a 20 tonne overhead travelling crane, together with 600 square metres of office space. The new building is to be constructed on the Bridge End Industrial Estate, Egremont, adjacent to existing James Fisher Nuclear Services owned rig halls and other Company facilities at Ennerdale Mill, Egremont.

WITH the £2bn masterplan well under way Britain’s Energy Coast has been transformed into a hub for skills, expertise and research development. Not only has the area produced outstanding home-grown talent – it has attracted world-class input and expertise.

International science and technology firm Battelle is proving to be a significant player within Britain’s Energy Coast. The US-based company explores emerging areas of science, develops and commercialises technology, and manages laboratories for customers. Locally, Battelle is a key player in the consortium running commercial operations at the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) in West Cumbria.

THREE of West Cumbria’s business big-hitters will battle it out in one of the most prestigious categories of the county’s premier business awards.

Andy Hooper of Westlakes Engineering, at Westlakes Science Park near Whitehaven; Paul Cusack, of Cockermouth Travel; and Sean Parnaby, of Maryport joinery firm Westport, are among those vying for the title of Businessman of the Year, sponsored by Britain’s Energy Coast, in this year’s CN Group Business Awards.

A West Cumbrian engineering firm celebrated its fifth anniversary in business with two awards at its celebration evening last month.

Westlakes Engineering, based at Westlakes Science Park, saw guest speakers and representatives from some of the area’s leading companies come together for the event on July 30.

Westlakes Engineering Limited (WEL) marked their 5th anniversary this week with a celebration in Whitehaven. Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards from both guest speakers - Dog Holden Chief Executive of the West Cumbria Development Agency (WCDA) and Sue Peters, Director of the LEAD programme at Lancaster University.

Westlakes Engineering is now one of the fastest growing Civil and Structural Engineering companies in the UK. Quite significantly, it is home grown in Cumbria with head offices at Westlakes Science Park, Whitehaven and “branch” offices elsewhere in the North West.