South Tyneside manufacturer celebrates £4.5m contract win

South Shields-based Metec UK has secured two lucrative export contracts worth over £4.5 million. The largest of the contracts will see the company provide its sacrificial anodes to a major offshore windfarm in the North Sea, which will provide green energy power to more than 3 million British homes. The other contract will see the company support the development of the UK’s offshore grid network by providing sacrificial anodes to another major offshore substation.

Metec UK reported its best year on record in 2024, with both pre-tax profits and turnover reaching record highs. Rising demand for its sacrificial anodes, which provide long-term protection against corrosion to steel monopile and jacket foundations, is being driven by the global shift to renewable energy. The sacrificial anodes also see use at companies in the oil and gas, LNG, marine and shipping industries.

Paul Wheeler, Technical Director at Metec UK, says: “These new contracts are fantastic news for the business. Following hot on the heels of our best year to date, they will enable us to further build on this success by continuing to grow and create more opportunities for local people.”

Since opening its first UK manufacturing hub eight years ago, the company has created 35 jobs on South Tyneside and these latest contract wins will see it create a further eight jobs over the coming months, as well as 10 work placements through its ongoing partnership with South Tyneside College.

Simon Cross, production manager, says: “Since setting up the UK business eight years ago, it has grown to become the group’s main renewables arm and our location has been central to this. South Tyneside is fast becoming a central hub for renewables due to the number of businesses relocating here and its skilled industrial workforce, and this has benefited us massively.”

He continues: “Both Paul and I are from the area, so we know it has everything we need to succeed, and this is also why we have partnered with South Tyneside College. Over the next 12 months, we’ll be creating 10 work placements for local students in the hope that some of them will seek to explore further employment with us, while ensuring we have a pipeline of talent for years to come.”

Metec UK’s recent growth has been supported by a £50,000 grant from South Tyneside Council, which has helped to increase output and futureproof the site. The grant has supported the purchase and installation of solar panels, retrofitting the building and new foundry tooling to increase capacity.

“Over the coming years, we want to get to a position where we generate half of our energy ourselves, and this grant will go a long way to helping us achieve that,” says Paul Wheeler. “It will also allow us to increase capacity and take on more work by purchasing new tooling, which will be key to helping us deliver on these new contracts. We can’t thank the council enough for its ongoing assistance. They really have gone above and beyond to support us ever since we moved here.”

Cllr Margaret Meling, Lead Member for Economic Growth and Transport at South Tyneside Council, says: “Metec UK is a fantastic success story for our flourishing renewable energy industry. Flying the flag for South Tyneside across the globe, it’s a fantastic example of how our skilled workforce and established industry cluster can help businesses innovate and grow and we are delighted to have supported them on their journey.”