Tornado Wire welcomed 119 students from four local schools to its Millom factory as part of National Manufacturing Day, building on links established through last year’s event.
The event brought together pupils from Millom Secondary School and local primary schools for a behind-the-scenes look at the production of high-tensile steel fencing.
The company opened its doors for the second consecutive year, following its first National Manufacturing Day event in 2025.
The impact of last year’s event has already extended beyond the factory visit, with three students from Millom Secondary School returning to Tornado Wire to complete work experience placements.
The company said the placements had strengthened its relationship with the school while giving students an opportunity to experience working life within a local manufacturing business.
During this year’s visit, students toured the factory, saw manufacturing machinery in operation and met members of the Tornado Wire team.
They were also introduced to the range of skills required to operate a modern manufacturing business, including engineering, production, maintenance, sales, marketing and finance.
Connecting students with manufacturing
Rebecca Galley, Chief Executive Officer of Tornado Wire, said the continued engagement with local schools was one of the key benefits of the company’s involvement in National Manufacturing Day.
“What has been particularly rewarding is seeing that relationship continue. Since then, three students from Millom Secondary School have come back to us for work experience, and this year we’re expecting even more students from the school to join us, as well as pupils from local primary schools,” she said.
“If young people have never been inside a factory, it’s difficult for them to know what modern manufacturing is really like or to imagine themselves working in it. Opening our doors gives them the chance to meet our people, see what we do and discover just how many different career opportunities there are.”
Tornado Wire has manufactured fencing products at its Millom site since 1982 and now supplies high-tensile steel fencing for agricultural, equestrian, forestry and infrastructure applications.
The company said its National Manufacturing Day activity forms part of a wider commitment to supporting education, developing future skills and maintaining links with the local community.
The event was also attended by Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness, who toured the facility and met students and employees. Representatives from Palletline HMT Group and the Barrow & District Association of Engineers (BDAE) also took part in the event.
Scrogham said the visit demonstrated the range of manufacturing taking place in the area and highlighted the value of giving young people direct exposure to engineering businesses.
“I’d love to see more engineering businesses engage with students in this way to encourage more careers in STEM,” she said.
National Manufacturing Day is organised by Make UK and brings manufacturers together to showcase the technology, innovation and career opportunities available across the sector.
