Blackburn precision engineer invests £1m in growth plans

By Tim Aldred

13 Jun 2023

Dobson + Beaumont With Blackburn Council

Blackburn-based Dobson + Beaumont is planning to double its turnover after investing £1m in its property, machinery and workforce.

The company is a thread rolling specialist working on projects as wide-ranging as parts for Formula 1 cars, wind turbines andengines for large boats. 

Family run for more than 100 years, it was acquired in a management buyout in 2021, after which the large-scale investment plan began.

Since then, the company recorded 60 per cent growth in 2022 and predicts a further 40 per cent growth in 2023.

The latest investment has been a new Sliding Head CNC machine which has been installed with the support of a £20,000 grant provided by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Richard Guest, managing director of Dobson + Beaumont, said: “The level of history in this business meant that the knowledge and the way it was run was fantastic.

“Since the buyout in 2021, we’ve been able to build on that and have literally gone through the business from top to bottom investing in everything from the building to machinery and skills.

“We’ve seen rapid growth and are on course to double our turnover while creating another seven new jobs this year which is just brilliant.” 

Growth Lancashire helped the firm apply for the £20,000 A2I grant from Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, the council’s executive member for growth and development, said: “Our borough has a strong reputation for being a place to invest and we’re absolutely committed to supporting businesses here and helping them thrive.

“This is a brilliant example of how our council grants can help businesses have the confidence to invest – unlocking new job opportunities, including apprenticeships and skilled roles. 

“It was fantastic to visit Dobson + Beaumont and see first-hand the impressive work they are doing, including the parts for the Formula 1 cars, and hear about how they plan to keep building on their success."

Rich history

Thomas Dobson set up the metalworking business in Morton Street, Blackburn, in 1917 and was quickly joined by his two sons, Frank and Stanley.

After making caterpillar tracks and shell casings during the Second World War, the business developed into thread rolling specialists during the latter half of the 20th Century, something that Richard says makes the firm special.

In 1965, Philip Dobson joined and led his grandfather’s business for 50 years, including its merger to become Dobson + Beaumont in 1978.

Richard says: “We work to an incredibly high spec with quality being our absolute priority.

“We’ve already invested £500,000 in new machinery over the last two years and the grant from the Council has given us the confidence to add to that with the new Sliding Head CNC machine.

“It will help us be even more productive and help with our goal of being quicker than our competitors.

“Our focus now is on our workforce too – bringing in young apprentices to train up while recruiting skilled new staff to help us keep moving forward and keeping up with the huge demand for our products.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer Matthew Ratcliffe CMAC

CMAC Group appoints Matthew Ratcliffe as chief operating officer

03 Apr 2025

2

For sale signs at The Villa Villa Wrea Green has been brought to market (Image credit: The Villa Wrea Green)

For sale signs at The Villa

02 Apr 2025

3

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub Anthony Rae Scott Murcott And Adam Lee

Montane group expands with new Lancashire hub

02 Apr 2025

4

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy Tom Grattan MD and Daniel Wallace

Trio of wins for Lancaster brand and digital consultancy

02 Apr 2025

5

College excellence highlighted in Ofsted report Fazal Dad

College excellence highlighted in Ofsted report

02 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

WHN Charity Quiz Night
Evenbrite Quiz 2025.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

WHN Charity Quiz Night

The Stables Country Club, Bury , BL9 1PU

18:00 - 22:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April
Chamber logo - new-02.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April

The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, LA1 1QE

08:00 - 10:00

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin