One of the most illustrious names in British industry, Cammell Laird shipyard, makes a spectacular return to trading today, November 17.

On what will be an emotional and proud day, hundreds of workers at the famous Birkenhead shipyard will again walk through the gates of ‘Cammell Laird’ welcoming back a name at the heart of Merseyside and the history of shipbuilding.

The day will mark an astonishing revival in fortunes for the shipyard after Cammell Laird closed its gates in 2001 leaving the site, including its huge modular shipbuilding hall deserted. In the seven intervening years a small group of Cammell Laird’s former management team led by managing director John Syvret, have steadily built up a new company at the shipyard Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd (NSL – see notes to editors 3).
Having established itself in the UK ship repair, conversion and military refit market, with a forecasted turnover in excess of £90m and a full order book, Mr Syvret said the time was right to bring back Cammell Laird in support of its marine services business. 
 
“This is a truly historic day for the shipyard,” he said. “It has taken seven years of grit and determination, commitment and long hours from the whole team to rebuild a thriving business here again. We bought back the Cammell Laird name via the receivers some time ago, but have waited until now to restore it to its rightful home. We passionately believed that to bring back the Cammell Laird brand name and trademark we had to have enough financial strength, substance, and credibility to live up to its international reputation.

After signing a contract with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) earlier this year, for the maintenance of Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, potentially worth up to £1bn over 30 years, and our prequalification for supporting the future aircraft carrier build programme we believed the time had come.” 
 
Mr Syvret said the yard, which has a 50-50 split of commercial and military work, would now look to grow further its marine services business in the international ship building, refit, repair and conversion market. 
 
“The final piece of the jigsaw is now in place,” he said. “By renaming ourselves Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd, we aim to catapult the business forward.

Cammell Laird is an internationally recognised brand which carries tremendous goodwill when bidding for contracts. We want to offer our services and support to UK and European shipyards and customers and expand the business. As NSL we have an enviable track record of delivering work of the highest standards of quality and expertise. We want to use the Cammell Laird name to build on this reputation and grow an even bigger business out of this shipyard driving wealth and job creation on Merseyside and in the North.”

Earlier this month the shipyard announced an alliance with Italian firm Fincantieri, Europe’s biggest shipbuilder in support of its bid to provide the next generation of MARS fleet tankers for the UK MOD. The company also has a strong connection with conversion specialist Keppel Shipyard based in Singapore which supports its “Global Reach” obligations with RFA, and its long term strategy to deliver its marine services worldwide. 
 
Wirral council leader cllr Steve Foulkes said: “The council has always been of the opinion that ship repair has a place in Birkenhead. We have argued consistently for that to be the case and have been delighted at the success of NSL.

For the company to now be operating once again under the historic and prestigious name of Cammell Laird is fantastic news for those at the yard and the Borough as a whole. We remain committed to supporting Cammell Laird and look forward to its continued resurgence.” 
 
Birkenhead MP Frank Field said: “This is great news and not a day too soon.”

Conservative Merseyside spokesman Chris Grayling MP said: “It has to be really good news for Merseyside that the Cammell Laird name is set to be revived, and that the business itself is flourishing. I hope that this means the company will go from strength to strength and can help rebuild the tradition of shipbuilding and repairs in Birkenhead.”