A family-run engineering business in Carlisle has acquired a competitor as part of its ambitious growth plans.

RS Byers Engineering has snapped up Nixon Engineering Ltd (NEL), also based on Kingstown Industrial Estate in a deal backed by funding from Clydesdale Bank.

The takeover includes RS Byers gaining the full premises of NEL in central Carlisle, allowing it to offer new products and services to customers – including fabrication work – for the first time.

The company has also added five new staff through the takeover, taking its roster to a total of ten.

R S Byers Engineering was established by Robin and Patricia Byers in 1979, with their son Nick becoming a partner in 1992.

Clydesdale Bank provided a six-figure lending package towards the purchase, alongside working capital which has gone towards buying new machinery.

Director Nick Byers said: “The idea of buying NEL was prompted by one of our customers and it made perfect strategic sense. Our own infrastructure needed to be upgraded and we needed more space and staff to grow.

“We’re now focused on enhancing the premises, with new machinery and aesthetic upgrades to improve the customer experience.”

“In the future, we’re looking to acquire two ISO accreditations, as well as expanding the footprint of the services we offer, including to Scotland and further south to Birmingham.

“The acquisition is the key reason that we’re now able to lift our sights and expand more quickly.”

Andy Gibson, commercial relationship manager at Clydesdale Bank, added: “It’s a wonderful feeling to see the business seizing such an advantageous strategic opportunity. Given the company name is already synonymous with quality, this will only help them get stronger over time and attract new customers nationally.”