Turbine tower manufacturer saves jobs in Wales

UP to 50 jobs have been saved at a North Wales factory that makes giant wind turbine towers. The good news comes just two months after the Bangor-based firm went into administration because of falling orders. By yesterday the former Cambrian Engineering (Cymru) plant on the Llandygai Industrial Estate had changed its name to Cambrian Caledonian, a Scottish energy firm whose bosses have experience in offshore oil and gas businesses. And last night it was revealed the firm beat off challenges from 59 other interested parties to acquire the company's assets.

Since 1997 Cambrian has produced 500 turbine towers. The new owners have pledged to build on the company's international reputation. Managing director Phil Smith said: "The acquisition of the assets and work in progress of Cambrian engineering demonstrates our commitment to bring skills from the oil and gas industry together with those of renewable energy to retain the UK as a serious player in this critically important energy sector supply chain." David Williams, Cambrian MD for 28 years, will be staying on as marketing director. He said the new company represented the best possible outcome from the administration process. "We are all delighted with the outcome. The new owners share our vision of a UK company playing a leading role in creating maximum benefit in and for the UK. "We are confident Cambrian Caledonian will ensure we continue as a talisman of home-grown UK component manufacture for onshore and offshore windfarms and devices for marine current and wave generation."

Andrew Davies, economic minister at the National Assembly, in Cardiff, said: "We have supported Cambrian over many years and from its production base in Bangor it played a key role in the development of renewable energy in Wales." The Bangor plant can make three to four towers a week and has the capacity to accommodate up to 100 tower sections in various stages of manufacture. The company also has a site at Arnish Point on the Isle of Lewis. Cambrian was formed 30 years ago and changed direction in 1997 from steel fabrication to manufacturing steel towers for the wind turbine market. By the beginning of this year, 95pc of its business was in towers, supplying European countries and the United States.