blantyre fabrication
Hidden away in small industrial estate in Blantyre, Scotland is one of Scotland’s lesser-known gems which is flat out producing a world leading improved mixer design formally known as McPhee Mixers. Lorna McFarlane launched Blantyre Fabrications in May 2021 with a clear vision and sheer determination this has enabled Lorna to forge on in her late fathers’ footsteps.
William McPhee set up his mixer making vision in 1971 and eventually Lorna switched from a career in midwifery after returning from London and struggling to get a full time position in a Glasgow hospital. Lorna worked with her dad for nine years and when William passed away Lorna and her husband Brinsley took on the business. Almost five years ago they sold the business and Lorna took a two year break from running a company. Lorna says: “To be honest I couldn’t get used to having no structure in my day, so decided to set up on my own. I learned so, so much from dad over the years we worked together. I had all this expertise and experience bubbling away in my head and thought I really needed to give it a go. Mixers have been part of me and my life since I was a youngster, so it made sense for me to relaunch into a sector, I was comfortable and known in”.
So far Lorna has successfully self-financed the Blantyre Fabrication project. Because of the sale of the previous business, Lorna was in the position of being able to invest in the new modern streamlined operation. Speaking with Lorna it is clear she has deep faith in what she is doing and can achieve in the future. Lorna speaks with confidence about how it’s a sound investment, “I’m not ruling out seeking finance sources for future expansions plans but we’ll take things one step at a time. And if we do get to that stage then it will be plan, plan and plan more to ensure we’re doing the right thing”.
Today Blantyre Fabrications occupies a very busy one-acre site packed with a five-bay workshop, a shot blast unit, a paint shop, and office block. (and a) The 20-strong very enthusiastic workforce mixed from time served specialists in the manufacture and repair of mixer units, these boys previously worked with Lorna at McPhee’s to modern apprentices looking to begin their career in fabrication. The Team has a passion for and a wealth of knowledge of mixer units second to none - they look and they just know.
The site itself is steeped in wonderful history as it is the very location that Lorna’s late father, William McPhee set up his business McPhee Mixers 50 years ago. Lorna speaks of the fond memories of this site from her childhood – vividly recalling visits to see her dad and being impressed by what seemed like supersized concrete mixers all around the place. Fast forward to today and Lorna’s steel fabrication business’s prime focus is the manufacture of bespoke designed, truck-mounted concrete mixers. The team is able to give the Mixer Operator exactly what they want and bespoke extras are not un-common when it comes to receiving orders. They have a can do attitude and a palpable pride in their work.
The team at Blantyre Fabrication is so skilled it enables them to carry out mixer repairs on any make of mixer, supply and fit drums, reblades and do mixer servicing. The firm also offers a huge range of spares parts and accessories on next day delivery.
Lorna added: “We are a robust company demonstrating a deep passion for what we do. We put our success down to our excellent and supportive suppliers who have always been there for us, and our customer base who we treat with utmost respect.”
“The customer is king and honesty, service and reliability are what Blantyre Fabrications is all about.”
