Dorman Long’s quest for expansion receives boost

A team of senior officials from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade (DIT)led by the Acting British Deputy High Commissioner, Ahmed Bashir MBE,paid a visit to Dorman Long Engineering Limited.

Ahmed was pleased to see the Dorman Long name still alive and doing well, he said that the “The parent company in the United Kingdom was formed back in 1875 and was part of the fabric and history of his home town of Middlesbrough; it later became part of British Steel”.

Ahmed went on to commended the present Board and Management of Dorman Long for continuing to build on the legacy of the Dorman Long name, forusing the company to make a difference in Nigeria and for continuing to make this now Nigerian company a part of the fabric and history of Nigeria.

Ahmed also went on to offer the help of the Department for International Trade to support the expansion efforts of indigenous companies in Nigeria.Ahmed spoke about the capabilities of British Businesses that could add value to Dorman Long’s expansion plans by way of some sort of partnership or other association and he also mentioned the possibilities of funding via the DIT’s finance arm – UK Export Finance.

The Acting Deputy High Commissioner expressed his pleasure at the fact that in spite of the present challenging business climate Dorman Long Engineering continues to produce quality fabrication work.

He disclosed that the British Deputy High Commission looks forward to building a closer relationship with the company and helping it to have an even greater impact specifically on the Nigerian infrastructural landscape and general economy.

Timi Austen-Peters, Chairman of the company was appreciative of the Acting Deputy High Commissioner’s commendation and expressed his delight at the opportunity to explore collaboration with the DIT.

In his words, “Although Dorman Long Engineering began as a British company, it is now proudly and fully Nigerian.  Nevertheless, we are happy to maintain a close association with British enterprise from which we received our original company DNA”.  He went on to say; “We are aware that the British Deputy High Commission has a renewed focus on commerce in Nigeria and is keen to lend support to suitably qualified companies in Nigeria.

The company is delighted to be working with them to explore a few potential opportunities”.