COMMITTED TO GROWTH

Alfred Cheyne Engineering Ltd (ACE Winches) has recently acquired the former Howegarden Agricultural Processing Factory facility near Towie Barclay, Turriff. 

The company’s growth in services has seen continuous building of our offshore contract personnel hire division, hydraulic service and testing facilities.  ACE recently invested £1/2million in a 750tonne test bed, wire rope and umbilical spooling facility to support the company’s extensive winch equipment hire fleet.    

Managing Director Alfie Cheyne in announcing the acquisition said that “our company’s continued annual growth of over 30% per annum in the last five years has meant that we have completely outgrown our two existing operating centre’s at Montbletton near Banff and Turriff  Markethill site.  Established in 1993 the company has grown from a sole trader to employing 110 staff in 2008 with an annual turnover anticipated at £11 million.  It is projected that a further 80 new jobs will be created over the next 36 months bringing an additional massive boost to the local Turriff, Banff and surrounding economy. This £4 million investment, offering a new operating centre and equipment is to be named “Towie Barclay Works”. 

“The site has a total area of 24 acres.  The move will allow our business to be consolidated on a single operating site.  The new site will allow the company’s business activities both domestic and internationally to be significantly increased and support the ongoing growth and development of the company’s winch and power pack hire fleet, further strengthening our support to clients.  Our offshore personnel division will in particular benefit by the addition of a new training facility, supported by the company’s Quality, Safety & Environmental Policies.  Expansion in the company’s previously projected international business growth has resulted in secured contracts within Central and South America, Indian Sub Continent, Asia Pacific, West Africa and Middle East”        

Mr Cheyne quotes “our organic company growth has laid a firm solid foundation for the future development of the company and the Towie Barclay base right in the centre of Aberdeenshire will allow us a platform to realise our short and medium growth plans. The company operates a Modern Apprenticeship scheme and in Summer 2008 has appointed 9 apprentices in both craft and administration disciplines.  The move to this site was a strategic decision taken on the basis that the location is within a comfortable 22 mile commuting distance of Ellon, Inverurie, Oldmeldrum, Fraserburgh, Mintlaw, Turriff, Banff, Huntly and Keith.”

It is anticipated that the new facilities will be fully operational within 12 months.