Grenville Engineering: Sheet Metal Fabrication Since 1984
From a small Stoke-on-Trent workshop to a complete fabrication and precision engineering partner
Grenville Engineering – Our History
Over 40 years of sheet metal fabrication and engineering expertise
Grenville Engineering was established in Stoke-on-Trent in 1984 by John, Helen and Mark Barratt, with five dedicated shop floor employees.
We began in a Portakabin and a small workshop, equipped with a manual punch and a Strippit machine. From these modest beginnings, we have grown into a 58,500 sq ft sheet-metal fabrication and precision-engineering company supporting customers across the UK.
Building the foundations
Grenville Engineering was founded during a challenging period for British manufacturing, and our early team relied on practical engineering knowledge, flexibility and a shared determination to build a dependable fabrication business.
John Barratt brought valuable experience from the defence and automotive industries, along with a strong belief in investing in manufacturing technology.
In 1985, we formed an important partnership with a leading company in the earth-moving industry. This relationship helped establish Grenville Engineering within the fabrication sector and continues today.
We also began supplying customers in the automotive industry, producing large-volume batches and developing valuable experience in repeat manufacturing.
Investing in quality and capacity
As our customer base grew, we invested in machinery, employees and transportation.
During the early 1990s, we purchased a 7.5-tonne lorry, enabling us to deliver larger production batches to customers across the UK.
In 1997, we achieved recognised quality accreditation following a rigorous implementation process. We later moved to ISO 9001 and continue to operate an ISO 9001 quality management system today.
Further investment included a plasma cutting machine with a high-definition cutting head. This created new manufacturing opportunities and allowed us to support a wider range of customer requirements.
Introducing laser cutting
In 2000, we invested in our first laser cutting machine, a TRUMPF L2530 1.8kW laser.
This provided greater cutting accuracy, repeatability and production speed, strengthening our sheet metal fabrication capabilities.
We continued to expand our laser-cutting capacity as demand increased. During the difficult economic conditions of 2009, we began negotiating for our second laser cutting machine, positioning us to respond when the market recovered. By 2012, we had installed a third laser, supporting a period of sustained growth.
Modernising design and production
Between 2005 and 2007, Grenville Engineering worked with Staffordshire University through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership led by Dali Dong.
The project modernised the company’s IT infrastructure and production systems, improving planning, communication and manufacturing efficiency. Dali later joined the Grenville Engineering board of directors.
In 2007, SOLIDWORKS 3D was introduced in the planning office. This strengthened the company’s design-for-manufacturing capabilities and enabled the team to work more effectively with complex customer drawings and models.
Today, Grenville Engineering’s in-house design team supports customers with CAD, reverse engineering, prototyping and design for manufacture.
Preparing for the future
In 2013, we began a complete rebrand in preparation for our 30th anniversary in 2014.
The rebrand included a new visual identity, website and approach to customer communication. It reflected our move from a traditional fabrication business to a modern manufacturing partner.
Our investment continued between 2016 and 2021, with the introduction of new Bystronic press brakes, including a 200-tonne machine for forming larger, heavier components.
More recently, we have added CNC tube laser cutting, high-powered flatbed fibre laser cutting, robotic welding and CNC machining.
Bringing these capabilities together under one roof allows us to manage more stages of production in-house. This gives our customers greater control over quality, lead times and supply chain risk.
Our people
Although manufacturing technology has played an important part in our development, our people remain central to our success.
Many members of our team have built long careers with Grenville Engineering. At our 40th anniversary, 25% of our workforce had completed more than 20 years of service, including 7 employees with over 30 years of service.
Our Sales Director, Stuart Rawlinson, joined Grenville Engineering as an apprentice in 1995 before progressing through production, programming, production manager and sales.
We continue to invest in apprenticeships and practical skills development. Our apprentices gain experience across different manufacturing processes and machines, helping them become multi-skilled and identify the areas in which they would like to specialise.
Today, Grenville Engineering is led by directors Grant Barratt, Dali Dong and Stuart Rawlinson, supported by a team of more than 80 employees.
We provide complete in-house sheet metal fabrication and precision engineering services, including:
- Design for manufacture and reverse engineering
- Flatbed and tube laser cutting
- CNC punching
- CNC forming and rolling
- CNC machining
- MIG, TIG and robotic welding
- Grinding and finishing
- Assembly and inspection
- Logistics and product transportation
These capabilities allow us to support our customers from initial design and prototype through to repeat production and delivery.
More than 40 years after Grenville Engineering was founded, our approach remains focused on practical engineering knowledge, consistent quality and long-term customer partnerships.
If you are looking for an experienced UK manufacturing partner, contact our team to discuss your next project. Click here to email us sales@grenville-engineering.co.uk
With four decades of experience
Grenville is committed to providing outstanding customer service and technical expertise to its diverse range of customers from concept to delivery.
Offering a wealth of experience and dedication in producing the highest quality products from Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminium to all specifications, using the latest Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. As a result, Grenville continues to maintain its position as the leading sheet metal fabrication company.
Find out how we can help today
Call Grenville Engineering on 01782 577 929
or email us at sales@grenville-engineering.co.uk