2 minute read - 24th August 2022
Universal Wolf to double workforce at Blyth factory
Universal Wolf has announced plans to double its workforce within the next five years, growing from 165 people currently, up to more than 320. The Blyth-based firm provides complex sheet metal fabrication to companies across a range of sectors including agriculture, security and industry.
Universal Wolf has seen a huge increase in orders in recent months, the result of both a conscious decision to diversify its markets and the development of a number of strong, long-term relationships with key customers.
Although Universal Wolf is, like many others, dealing with energy price rises and cost of living challenges, it is also seeing opportunities with companies in the UK reshoring their supply chains as a way to better manage cost and supply.
Huge order growth has led to Universal Wolf announcing plans to double its workforce in the coming years / Picture: Universal Wolf
Universal Wolf managing director, Tim Rutter, said: “It’s a mixed picture. Alongside the obvious cost-of-living challenges and pricing fluctuations we are seeing, there are some positives too. Those unstable market conditions are causing many British companies to look to bringing their supply chains back to the UK, or back more locally, to add more resilience. Reshoring has been a key conversation as companies look to shorten and add more capacity to their supply chains.
“Additionally, many of our customers are growing and taking on new suppliers, so it’s a growth market overall that we look forward to being part of – albeit there are many challenges that we, like others, are facing.”
Universal Wolf plans to increase headcount to 320 at its Blyth factory by 2027 / Picture: Universal Wolf
Universal Wolf’s in-house ‘Grow Our Own’ initiative allows colleagues to continue to learn new skills and progress in their career – for example, this could be joining a new area of the business or progressing to the next level of management. Since starting the programme 12 months ago, over 20% of employees have directly benefited from this approach to training and development.
Craig McFall, production supervisor at Universal Wolf, added: “The Grow Our Own programme helped me reach the position of supervisor, and so I know from experience that it works. It not only delivers for each colleague’s personal growth but also creates a better, stronger company for the long-term.”
Craig originally joined the business as a welder-fabricator back in 2014, before progressing to team leader and then supervisor.
More information on careers at Universal Wolf can be found here.