Rebranding at historic Somers Forge with more jobs on the way
A family business that can trace its forging history back more than 400 years is underlining its commitment to engineering innovation with new branding and a new website, as it prepares for a 20 per cent hike in its workforce.
Over recent years Somers Forge in Halesowen, part of the Folkes Holding group, has increased its capability to forge components from as small as a kilogramme up to 80 tonnes, and up to 23 metres long as it wins work around the globe.
Growth has been combined with a new digital strategy to maintain its position as a world leader in forging and engineering as it launches a new logo, new tagline and a new website at www.somersforge.com
Somers Forge has become renowned for powering the navies of the world but the branding shake-up is intended to show the broad range of customers the company has.
Somers' Folkes Holding parent company can trace its history back to the 17th century. The tenth oldest family firm in the UK, launched by the pioneering Joseph Folkes and the Lye Forge in 1697. Samson Folkes, who represents the tenth generation of the family, has been managing director at Somers Forge for 17 months.
He said: "As a company, we have stayed true to our heritage, in conjunction with developing and modernising the business to remain a world leader. The introduction of the trademark ‘Forging A Stronger Future’ recognises our long-term commitment to quality, delivery, customer satisfaction and our understanding of environmental factors on future generations."
Somers operates primarily in the defence, marine, power generation and oil & gas sectors and this year alone it will have invested £2 million in the plant, premises and its people, with turnover set to rise for another year.
The company employs 130 people in Halesowen and Somers' continuing success means that number is due to rise by 20 per cent within the next six months, with the jhe job creation focused on the manufacturing side of the business.
The latest investment builds on £2m of spending on new machinery over the last decade, including five-axis CNC equipment, lathes and saws.
