Dronfield nuts and bolts firm fixes customer deal for three more years

A Dronfield manufacturer whose specialist fasteners are designed to withstand the world’s toughest working conditions is celebrating after its longest-standing customer extended its contract for another three years.

From left, Scott Smith, technical director, Masako Knowles, finance director, Sonja Skelton, managing director and senior technical order processor Tom Devitt, all from West Special Fasteners, with a selection of the firm's products. | Penguin PR

placeholder image — From left, Scott Smith, technical director, Masako Knowles, finance director, Sonja Skelton, managing director and senior technical order processor Tom Devitt, all from West Special Fasteners, with a selection of the firm's products. | Penguin PR

West Special Fasteners has secured the extension to its frame agreement with a major international company working across offshore oil and gas, floating production vessels (FPSOs) and renewable energy.

Under the agreement, the firm, which is based on the Callywhite Lane Industrial Estate and employs 70 people, will guarantee the customer factory capacity and has committed to agreed performance targets.

West Special Fasteners manufactures a wide range of products, such as bolts, nuts, studs and washers, which are used by the energy industry in underwater foundations and subsea pipelines.

They are made from high-nickel alloys, stainless steel and titanium, and are designed to resist saltwater corrosion, constant buffeting from currents and extreme cold.

The news came in the same week the Government gave the green light to new gas production in the North Sea and pledged £2 billion of North Sea revenue to clean energy through its new Energy Wealth Fund.

James Hawkins, CEO of West Special Fasteners, said: “Being invited to continue with such a major customer in such a demanding industry is once again a huge endorsement of the quality and performance of our products.

“We never take customers for granted, and we’ve stayed relevant by continually investing in R&D, production techniques and testing.

“Our fasteners are tested in UKAS-accredited labs for impact, corrosion and super-cold temperatures, and they are capable of sitting on subsea assemblies for many, many years without any issues whatsoever.

“The Government’s latest announcement underlines how investing in energy generation is crucial and this contract extension could not be better timed.”

Earlier this year, West Special Fasteners won the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.

It manufactures 850,000 components each year, which now hold together structures as varied as a Triton submersible which has dived to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the Helix Bridge in Singapore and the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.

It has also been awarded a contract by the National Museum of the Royal Navy to supply bespoke, high-integrity stainless steel fastenings for the conservation of HMS Victory.