Metconnect-ion has tools for job

BATE Welding and Saw Supplies has been taken over by Metconnect.

The Drury Lane, Hollinwood, business was bought from the administrators by Tony and Nadia Syddall, who see much synergy between their own welding supplies and engineering operation and the family-owned Bate company.

Set up in 1975, Bate previously employed 11 staff, five of whom have transferred to Metconnect in Tweedale Way, Hollinwood.

The companies will continue to operate from two sites until the new year by which time the Syddalls hope to have secured new, larger premises in Hollinwood.

Chronicle Business understands that negotiations are at an advanced stage for the Syddalls to relocate their businesses — Metconnect, Merkle UK and now Bate — into the new site.

Managing director Mr Syddall confirmed that he was seeking to transfer all his businesses to one building but refused to reveal the location.

He added: “We have bought the assets and goodwill of Bate Welding and Saw Supplies. Bate will maintain its trading identity as it will complement what we do here at Metconnect.

“We have already experienced a substantial rise in business and we are looking now to build on that base and develop some of the Bate products with our other customers.”

Welcoming Kath Storey, from Hollins, to the new business, after 29 years with Bate, Mr Syddall revealed that he had hoped that more of the Bate staff would have transferred to the new set up.

“We offered jobs to several others but they have decided to move on, and that is their decision. We wish them all the best,” he said.

Senior accounts manager at Bate, Kath started with the business in 1979 as a van driver and worked her way through the ranks to become an integral member of staff.