FABLINK, formerly known as EVENWOOD ENGINEERING LTD. 1964-2025

Over the years, the company may have changed its name, the management may have changed, the products may have changed but the site is still known to many Evenwood residents as Evenwood Engineering.

Above: 2025: Closed, the offices opposite Fairfield, Evenwood, the factory behind.

Pre 1993 details, are not available from Companies House. It is believed that E. Kirk & Co. Ltd., which operated from the St. Helens Trading Estate until about 1963, was the original company which was established at Evenwood. At this time, the name changed to Evenwood Engineering Ltd.

It is understood that Evenwood Engineering operated as part of the following groups:

c.1993 – 1995: BM Group
1995 – 1996: Brunel Holdings PLC
1996 – 2006: Eliza Tinsley Group PLC
2006 – 2009: Evenwood Industries Ltd. (a management buy-out)
2009 – 2024: Fablink Group
2025 – 2025: Wharfside Industrials

9 January 2025: Wharfside Industrials went into administration and the factory closed with a loss of an estimated 200 jobs to the local economy.

Above: 1983: The Evenwood Engineering factory in the shadow of Randolph Cokeworks and the former Randolph Colliery pit heap.

Some historical notes follow:

9 March 1937: Incorporation of E. KIRK & CO., LIMITED (Number of company 325168). [1]

The 2 subscribers were:

William Watson Kirk of Colne, (Lancashire) and
Ernest Kirk, of Colne, (Lancashire)

Both described as, “Wire Heald Manufacturer.”

The manufacture of the component known as a, “wire heald” is associated with the textile industry, specifically for use for high speed jacquard weaving. The factory was located at St. Helens Trading Estate, Bishop Auckland.

Evenwood Engineering Ltd.

It is understood that E. Kirk & Co. Ltd. moved to Evenwood about 1964 and was renamed Evenwood Engineering Ltd. Randolph Colliery had closed by 1962. The site had been designated for industrial purposes by Durham County Council in an attempt to secure new employment for those lost in the coal industry.

It is assumed that products manufactured at the site changed to suit the prevailing market. The major product is believed to have been cabs for Caterpillar and Komatsu. Komatsu is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures construction, mining, forestry and military equipment. Its UK operating base in NE England is at Birtley where it manufactures medium size and large crawler excavators and working gear excavators. In the late 1980s, about 1989, a major extension was carried out which doubled the size of the factory to about 120,000 sq.ft. of manufacturing space.

It is understood that the BM Group owned Evenwood Engineering from at least 1993. The Company Accounts for 1994 describes its activity as:

“the manufacture of high volume light to medium steel fabrications, supplying original equipment manufactures in various industries with quality sub-contract components to their own design and specifications.”

The review of the business stated:

“The company had a poor first half but, with stronger sales in the second half and a cost control programme, saw a return to profitability by the end of the year. Orders are currently at historically high levels and capital investment, including the installation of a laser cutting centre, is planned to increase capacity.”

The company return showed that the average number of employees was 133, comprised 111 in production and 22 in administration (an increase of 26 over 1993). The turnover was some £3.8 million.

In January 1995 BM Group changed its name to Brunel Holdings PLC. The report for 1995 shows that it employed 154 (133 production & 21 administration).

In November 1996, Brunel Holdings PLC sold to Eliza Tinsley Group PLC. There was a steady growth in employment numbers from 1996 to 1998, as follows:

1997 – 158 (137 production & 21 administration)
1997 – 173 (149 & 24)
1998 – 187 (160 & 27)

The 1999 report shows no employment figures. Company Accounts show that between 2001 and 2005, Evenwood Engineering was a “Dormant Company” and in 2007, it was compulsory struck off and finally dissolved 23 September 2014.[2] The Evenwood site remained under the control of the Tinsley Group until 2006.

In 2006, the Tinsley Group went into administration. There was a management buy-out and the company was renamed Evenwood Industries Ltd.

In 2009, Fablink bought out Evenwood Industries Ltd. The following article celebrates the event:[3]

“Fablink’s Evenwood site celebrate its 10-year anniversary

Last week, on the 9^thJune 2019 a milestone was reached for Fablink’s Evenwood site as they celebrated their 10-year anniversary since joining the Fablink Group.

Fablink’s site based in Evenwood, Co. Durham, which is also known as Fablink Tanks Systems was acquired back in 2009 as a strategic investment to enhance the company’s product offering; Evenwood’s factory extends to over 120,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and can fabricate steel assemblies of up to 5 tonnes allowing it to become the hub of Fablink’s heavier products, including fuel & hydraulic tanks, ADT Operator cabs and safety structures. This move complimented the existing sites of Wolverhampton, which manufacturers pressings & welded assemblies and Brixworth, home to the Group’s Technical Centre, which also produces specialist vehicle assemblies, lightweight aluminium structures and Operator cabs.

The acquisition saw former sister companies, Evenwood and Wolverhampton being reunited after previously being owned by The Tinsley Group. In 2006 Tinsley Group went into administration and the Evenwood site underwent a management-buy-out, re-naming to Evenwood Industries Ltd. Wolverhampton was acquired by Fablink UK at the same time. Three years on, Evenwood Industries went into administration themselves which gave Fablink an opportunity to acquire the assets (including 28 employees at the time), offering Fablink a logical extension to their existing portfolio.

Since 2009, significant investments have been made, adding to the site’s core capabilities. Through the investment of machine capacity, robotic weld cells, 5 axis lasers and a strengthening of the management structure, these investments have been pivotal in contributing to the Group’s growth (sales approx. £55m) as well as Evenwood’s, which now employs over 200 staff and has a turnover of approx. £20m.

The anniversary also comes at a poignant time as Fablink has recently purchased the Evenwood factory and land surrounding it. This will give Fablink more flexibility and opportunity to evolve the site in line with the business’ requirements.”

31 March 2022, the Strategic report confirmed that the principle activity remained:

“the supply of metal pressings, welded assemblies and new product development services to the off-highway, power generation, automotive and commercial vehicle market sectors.”

Importantly:

“A combination of a strong order book and increased input costs took turnover to a record level of £28.3 million.”

The average monthly number of employees during 2022 was 202 (production 190, sales and distribution 5 and administration 7) an increase on 2021 by 14, 12 in production and 2 in administration. Two years later, this company fell into difficulties and went into administration.[4]

Above: The gateway into Evenwood – Fablink to the right of the photo

In September 2024, the Fablink Group was acquired by Ensco1, operating as Wharfside Industrials. The deal secured over 500 jobs in the UK and united the assets of Fablink Limited, Fablink Tank Systems Limited, Streamline Panels and Assemblies Limited, and other subsidiaries under the new ownership. The Fablink Group, manufactured metal pressings, operator cab assemblies, fuel and hydraulic tanks, and vehicle assemblies. It operated across six sites in Wolverhampton, Evenwood, Luton, Durham, Brixworth, and Northampton. The company, with revenues of £110m, served as a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive, transport, and off-highway sectors, including major global OEMs. In a related development, EV Technology Group has announced the acquisition of Fablink Group Holdings in a deal valued at £38.8m. The transaction included an initial cash payment of £29.5m for 76% of Fablink, with the deal expected to be completed later that year. [5]

In January 2025, the specialist metals manufacturer, Wharfside Industrial Ltd., collapsed into administration for a second time, resulting in the loss of 427 jobs. Ernst & Young was appointed to handle the administration of Wharfside Industrials, as well as four Fablink Group Holdings Ltd subsidiaries in Wolverhampton, Evenwood, Luton, and Northampton.[6] It is understood that about 200 jobs were lost at Evenwood.

9 January 2025, the formal announcement that the company had gone into administration was made. The details: [7]

Appointment of Administrators in the High Court of Justice
Business and Property Courts, Company & Insolvency List (ChD) Court Number: CR-2024-007886
FABLINK (EVENWOOD) LIMITED
(Company Number 15826075)
Nature of Business: Manufacture of metal structures and parts of structures
Previous Name of Company: ENSCO 3 Limited – 08 Aug 2024 – 23 Sep 2024; AGHOCO 2313 Limited – 08 Jul 2024 – 08 Aug 2024
Registered office: 1 Colmore Square, Birmingham, B4 6HQ
Principal trading address: Evenwood Plant, Evenwood Lane, Bishop Auckland, DL14 9NJ
Date of Appointment: 7 January 2025
Names and Addresses of Administrators: Daniel Christopher Hurd (IP No. 20030) of Ernst & Young LLP, 1 Colmore Square, Birmingham, B4 6HQ and Lucy Winterborne (IP No. 21130) of Ernst & Young LLP, The Paragon, Counterslip, Bristol, BS1 6BX