William Cook crowned Company of the Year

The prestigious accolade, acknowledging William Cook’s multiple major achievements in 2023, was awarded at the CMF’s Casting Industry Achievement Awards dinner in November.

The William Cook group, headquartered in Sheffield, impressed judges with its landmark rail contract wins, support for the war effort in Ukraine and £5m investment programme that has reinforced the company’s position in the nuclear power supply chain.

The group was also praised for its acquisition of the Chesterfield-based HI Quality Steel Castings out of administration in April, protecting vital foundry skills.

Mr William Cook, Commercial Director for William Cook Holdings, said: “2023 has been a year of great progress. While there are – as always – challenges ahead, this award is recognition of the persistence and determination of many William Cook employees over the last twelve months. In 2024, we press on!”

A year of growth, acquisition, and investment

This year, William Cook Cast Products completed a £5 million programme of investment – including a brand new radiography facility, new Argon Oxygen Decarburisation (AOD) system, upgraded ISO17025-accredited metallurgy laboratory and a bespoke mechanical manipulator – to secure its position as a supplier to the nuclear sector.

Alongside this significant investment in plant and equipment William Cook Cast Products also secured Fit4Nuclear and ISO19443 (nuclear quality management) accreditation. In addition, the company recruited a dedicated technical manager to coordinate complex nuclear-sector contracts and a graduate metallurgist to manage its upgraded laboratory.

At the same time, Cook Defence Systems has undertaken vital work supporting armoured vehicles in service in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, William Cook Rail beat heavy competition to win major contracts with two new export customers – in addition to its largest contract to date with London Underground to maintain and overhaul coupler systems for Jubilee Line trains.

William Cook Rail has also recruited its largest cohort of apprentices in recent memory. Nine school-leavers joined the Company in September 2023, starting training in roles ranging from foundry technicians to CNC machinists.

Alongside all this, the group was able to rescue the former HI Quality Steel Castings from administration, securing 75 jobs and safeguarding foundry skills. The Chesterfield-based foundry now sits within the William Cook  Cast Products division, contributing £10m per annum to revenues and adding a new range of customers in the industrial machinery sector.

‘Innovation and resilience’

The UK Cast Metals Industry Awards focused on the great castings being manufactured in metal by UK foundries, and their huge achievements in innovation, growth and component performance.

In addition to ‘Company of the Year’, awards were also given for ‘Innovation’ and ‘Component of the Year’, an award previously won by William Cook Cast Products.

Dr Pam Murrell, Chief Executive of the Cast Metals Federation, said: ‘The innovation and resilience of the foundry industry never ceases to amaze me, and this year’s award winners typify exactly what makes the UK great.’

She added: ‘The commitment to problem solving and providing solutions to customers remains within our industry, making all the components upon which a modern economy depends.’

 

Trevor Stevenson and Andrew Kirton-Vaughan accepted the award on behalf of the William Cook Group.