A Moray engineering firm officially opened the doors of its new custom-built workshop at the weekend (Friday 14th June).  AJ Engineering has invested £188,000 in their new premises on the Greshop Industrial Estate in Forres with a view to developing the business further.

AJ Engineering, which was established in 1998, received a building grant worth £36,000 from Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE) towards the cost of the 4,500 sq. metres engineering workshop.  The building, with new plant and equipment, will allow the company to increase its engineering capability and has created two new full-time jobs in Forres as well as protecting that of six others.

The business is primarily involved in structural steelwork, cladding and general engineering but AJ Engineering has also developed its subcontractor status with larger engineering, textiles and forestry companies. 

Alan James of AJ Engineering said: "The new workshop and larger site area will give us the space and flexibility to provide a more efficient service to our customers.  Previously we had to rely on a forklift, within the old workshop, to move the steelwork during the fabrication process. 

"In our new workshop we now have a 5 tonne overhead crane which has eliminated the downtime waiting for the forklift and also increased our lifting capacity.  The new workshop is nine metres to the eaves which gives us the ability to fabricate and trial erect the fabrications without having to hire in a crane or work outside.

"We manufacture in steel, stainless steel and aluminium to the client's design and are very fortunate in having the experienced and skilled staff to carry out this work.  With our enhanced facility and investment in fabrication machinery, we will now be able to increase our range of services and market share."

Chief executive of MBSE, Douglas Yule said: "AJ Engineering has quickly outgrown its existing premises and this new custom-built workshop will allow the business to capitalise on far more opportunities. 

"The expansion of this business is retaining and creating valuable manufacturing jobs in the area and paves the way for further growth and diversification in the future.  This is a tremendous achievement for a company which was set up only three years ago, especially when you consider the current climate in the manufacturing sector."