UKSE support adds steel to engineer’s Marske venture

An engineer whose skills helped launch a warship to sail the high seas is riding his own wave after funding support.

Martin Dobson has expanded Steel River Fabrications with UKSE backing.

The former HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier worker has taken on a qualified engineer and apprentice, and bought extra equipment for his business.

The company, based on Longbeck Industrial Estate, in Marske, near Redcar, was only founded a year ago but already counts several energy sector contracts in its order book.

“This investment has come at an important time,” said Martin, whose CV also includes eight years working offshore across the UK and Norway.

He said: “I have wanted to set up my own business for some time, and my nine-year-old twin boys helped to give me the push I needed, after asking when I was going to get a job at home rather than offshore.

“Despite the hard work and some days being frantically busy, I can really see a good future for both my business and my family life.

“The working capital loan UKSE provided has given me the confidence to take the business on to the next stage of its development.”

Peter Taylor, business development manager for Tata Steel business support subsidiary UKSE, added: “The early stages of a new business are challenging, and we know from experience what a big difference a relatively small investment at that stage can make.”