Thurston Group is investing multimillions to create a new 13,000 sq ft purpose-built facility in Ottringham, expected to create around 55 new roles at the East Yorkshire manufacturing firm.
The engineering-led manufacturing partner, established in 1970, specialises in modular accommodation across a wide range of sectors. The company, which also operates a facility in Wakefield, fell into administration towards the end of last year amid mounting challenges, including clients scaling back investments, delays in decision-making, and escalating labour and materials costs.
Rescue and Investment
Specialists at Leonard Curtis were appointed to market the business for sale, and a pre-pack deal was agreed on 22 December last year with industrial business group GCH Corporation Ltd, which has interests in a number of manufacturing sector companies.
Work has now commenced on the multimillion-pound investment at Thurston Group's manufacturing facility in Ottringham, creating a new purpose-built site for some of the firm's most technically complex operations. The facility will produce specialist structures, including blast-resistant buildings that safeguard personnel on industrial sites, housings for critical electrical and energy equipment, and enclosures for hydrogen and battery storage systems.
Specialist Operations
The structures, which form part of the company's Engineered Solutions division, will serve sectors including energy, oil and gas, utilities and data centres, many of which maintain a significant presence across the Humber region. Set to become operational in the first half of 2027, the investment is supported by Thurston's owner, GCH Corporation, and will boost the company's specialist manufacturing capacity by 158%, reports Hull Live.
The project represents part of wider plans to develop Ottringham into an operation capable of delivering more than £40m in annual output. The firm indicated the investment demonstrates the business's confidence in its East Yorkshire operations.
Leadership Comment
Matt Goff, group managing director of Thurston Group, said: "This is a major commitment to East Yorkshire and will be pivotal to the next stage of Thurston's growth as we demonstrate we are engineered for the challenge. Against a challenging economic backdrop, we're continuing to invest for growth, putting spades in the ground and significantly expanding our specialist manufacturing capabilities."
Goff added: "Customers come to us with their most complex and technically demanding work – structures that have to protect people, keep critical equipment running and perform in some of the harshest environments. We solve those challenges through engineering expertise and practical experience, turning difficult requirements into solutions that perform in the real world."
The new site will bring together dedicated fabrication with overhead lifting capability, specialist shot blasting, controlled paint finishing and final inspection, with segregated production zones which the company said creates a safer, more efficient production flow.
Cassie Hutchings, founder and CEO of GCH Corporation, said: "Thurston has a clear direction and the people to deliver it. Our continued investment reflects our long-term commitment to the business and our confidence in where it is heading."
Hutchings added: "Ottringham is a significant step, an investment in Thurston's people, its capability and the infrastructure it needs to grow here in East Yorkshire, and we look forward to supporting the team through its next stage of growth."
