MB Faber Ltd.

News Articles

Sep/02 - APPRENTICES TO ENGINEER NEW CAREER AT MB FABER
Three young school leavers have been given the opportunity to engineer a career in the nuclear industry

Aug/28 - MB FABER ORDERBOOK RISES TO £350K ON HIGH HAZARD SELLAFIELD PLANT

MB Faber Ltd, one of the main subsidiaries of MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd, has announced that its orderbook for work in support of the safe ongoing operation and decommissioning of the B38 waste storage plant at Sellafield, comprising a number of direct and indirect contracts, now exceeds £350k.

The main components of recently awarded contracts, which continue MB Faber’s long track record of providing engineering support for this plant, are: -

  • to continue to provide engineering design support to the plant operators
  • to design equipment for a small, remotely controlled submersible vehicle to enable it to remove surface contamination from the walls of water-filled storage silos when the water level is lowered as the radioactive waste in the silos is progressively removed
  • to design replacement mechanical equipment for the plant.

Established in 1988, MB Faber employs over 100 design engineers at its main office locations in Leyland, Lancashire and Frizington, Cumbria and is focused on delivering solutions for nuclear and aerospace customers.  Specialist services in the nuclear industry include the design of nuclear mechanical handling plant and equipment, and the design and installation of plant control systems. 

Derek May, managing director of MB Faber Ltd, said:

"This orderbook is a reflection of the experience and reputation for delivery that Faber has built up on this high hazard plant at Sellafield and on other complex facilities. 

Faber continues to supply innovative solutions for its customers, whilst meeting the most rigorous standards of safety, budget and timescale".


Jul/14 - MB FABER SECURES £1 MILLION AIRBUS CONTRACT

MB Faber Ltd, one of the main subsidiaries of MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd, has announced details of a contract worth in excess of £1 million which will see it support the development of Europe’s latest military transport aircraft.

The Leyland and Frizington-based mechanical and electrical engineering design company, which provides specialist solutions for nuclear and aerospace customers, has been appointed by Airbus UK to design and build operational tooling for building wings for the new A400M military transport aircraft at Airbus UK’s Filton plant in Bristol.

The A400M is being developed to a recognised requirement for a new airlifter for European air forces including Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Turkey and the UK, and the total order book currently stands at 192 aircraft.

Established in 1988, MB Faber employs over 100 staff and has a long standing relationship with Airbus.  The company recently secured a contract to develop test equipment that will support the advanced manufacturing techniques required for the new A350 XWB (extra wide-body) passenger aircraft.

Derek May, managing director of MB Faber, said: “This contract is a tremendous achievement for our aerospace team, coming hard on the heals of our recent nuclear industry sales successes.”

Ian Eaves, general manager of the company’s aerospace division, said:  “Airbus is one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers and we are very proud of our close association with the company.  To have secured yet another major contract from Airbus is a clear indication that our experience and expertise is well regarded.

“We will design the operational tooling for the structural assembly of the A400M wingbox at our Leyland site and it will then be manufactured on our behalf by our sub-contractors in the UK and Western Europe, before being used in the construction of the wings.”

Graham Wood, chief manufacturing engineer for A400M wing programme, added: “This tooling contract is pivotal to the success of A400M wing production and our supplier selection was based on a detailed understanding and knowledge of wing assembly requirements. We have had a successful relationship with MB Faber for over two decades.”  

Jun/10 - MB FABER ENGINEERS MULTI- MILLION POUND SELLAFIELD CONTRACT

MB FABER ENGINEERS MULTI- MILLION POUND SELLAFIELD CONTRACT

MB Faber Ltd, one of the main subsidiaries of MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd, has announced that it has been selected as one of Sellafield Ltd’s preferred suppliers in a deal worth a potential £2 million.

The Leyland and Frizington-based company, is one of small number of mechanical and electrical engineering design companies that have been awarded Sellafield Ltd’s new Task Design House Framework Agreements.  MB Faber will provide specialist services to the nuclear site operating company over the course of the next two years, with an option to extend for up to a further two years.

Established in 1988, MB Faber employs over 100 design engineers and is focused on delivering solutions for nuclear and aerospace customers.  Specialist services in the nuclear industry include the design of nuclear mechanical handling plant and equipment, and the design and installation of plant control systems. 

The company had to undergo a rigorous tendering process and this new contract win will bolster the company’s already strong order book.

By restructuring its supply chain network and introducing the new framework agreements, Sellafield Ltd expects to save its client, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), upwards of a seven-figure sum per year.

Derek May, managing director of MB Faber Ltd, said: "This is a significant contract win for MB Faber. Our engineers have an enviable reputation in the nuclear sector and this was one of the determining factors in ensuring that we were awarded a place on Sellafield Ltd’s preferred supplier list.


"This is a two year contract with the option to extend and it’s a great addition to our future order book."

Jim Burnell, procurement contract officer at Sellafield Ltd, added: "This is a tremendous opportunity both for the contracting companies and for Sellafield Ltd.

"The open tender process starting in April last year and saw no fewer than 38 submissions which set a challenge to the Sellafield Ltd. Source Evaluation Board in selecting the most appropriate contractors to provide the range of skills, expertise and experience required.

"Many of the contractors on the new frameworks have provided Sellafield Ltd with similar support in the past and have demonstrated to us that they can provide a high quality, best value service. There are a number of local firms involved. We are confident it is a great opportunity."

Feb/07 - MB FABER appoints former BNFL Executive Director

MB Faber Ltd, one of the main subsidiaries of MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd, has announced the appointment of Derek May, former British Nuclear Fuels Plc (BNFL) executive director, to the position of managing director.

Mr May (52)  joins MB Faber with a strong track record in the nuclear industry, including a two-year period with Zurich-based NAC International where he held the position of managing director.  Prior to that he spent 16 years with BNFL and held a series of senior positions including executive director of corporate development.

A member of the Nuclear Industry Association, Mr May will bring a great deal of experience to MB Faber which has a strong position in both the aerospace and nuclear market sectors. The company recently confirmed that it had secured a contract from Airbus to support the development of the new A350 XWB (extra wide-body) passenger aircraft.

Established in 1988, MB Faber is headquartered in Leyland, Lancashire where it employs over 80 staff and it is widely recognised as one of the UK"s leading mechanical and electrical engineering design companies.  Although UK based, MB Faber has undertaken a range of major projects in the USA and Europe.

Craig Gallagher, chief executive of MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd, said:  "Derek has worked in the nuclear sector for 20 years and brings with him significant strategic and operational experience which will prove invaluable. 

"MB Faber already enjoys a solid reputation within the industry but we are looking to build on this.  For this reason I"m delighted that we now have Derek at the helm to ensure that the company continues to flourish, but that it also takes advantage of the numerous opportunities within the nuclear sector.”

Commenting on his appointment Derek added: "I"m relishing the opportunity of joining such an ambitious company and I"m excited at the prospect of helping MB Faber realise its undoubted potential. In terms of capabilities MB Faber already possesses the expertise and workforce necessary to expand and I will be aiming to develop relationships with existing clients and grow its customer base.”

Derek May's appointment follows the announcement in December 2007 that John Weston, former chief executive of BAE Systems, had been appointed non-executive chairman of MB Faber"s parent company MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd.

Mr Gallagher added: "As a group, in order to grow and achieve our ambitious goals it"s important that we have a strong and experienced management team in place.  Both John and Derek are high-profile appointments and I believe we are now well placed to bring MB Faber and MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd as a whole, to the next level.”

Dec/21 - MB AEROSPACE HOLDINGS LTD APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN
One of Europe’s most senior aerospace figures has been appointed to the position of non-executive chairman at MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd.

Dec/20 - MB FABER LANDS AIRBUS CONTRACT
MB Faber Ltd has secured a significant contract from one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturing companies

Jul/06 - MB Aerospace management team completes MBO
The management team of MB Aerospace Ltd and MB Faber Ltd, two of the main subsidiary groups of the Lanarkshire-based engineering contractor Motherwell Bridge, has announced that it has completed a management buyout.