North West duo unite to save 80 jobs at Preston firm

Posted on 21 Feb 2014 by The Manufacturer

Two Lancashire-based companies have joined forces to save 80 jobs at a 100-year old castings manufacturer in the region.

Coupe Foundry, which operates in Higher Walton, will now be operated by new company Coupe Castings after Manchester CNC subcontractor Eaves Machining and Shakespeare Foundry of Bolton bought the castings manufacturer.

The deal sees both companies take a 50% share of the company, and will not only result in the manufacturing jobs being saved, but may lead to further job growth in the North West.

Ian Griffiths, CEO of Eaves Machining and the new Coupe Castings business added: “Coupe Foundry is a great business with quality people and products. We are conducting a full strategic review of activities and have already won some significant new business.”

It is also hoped the synergy between all three companies will lead to further improvements in innovation, quality and service in Coupe Foundry’s engineering and jobbing type cast iron castings for the automotive, wind, nuclear, power and offshore sectors.

Michael Stanley, MD of Shakespeare Foundry added: “Coupe’s ability to cast components up to 26 tonnes in weight is very unique. Their range starts where Shakespeare’s ends and the businesses are a great fit.”