Cammell Laird name returns to Birkenhead

Nov 19 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

Cammell Laird

THE Cammell Laird name has returned to its historic Birkenhead shipyard home.

Cammell Laird, one of the best-known names in the shipbuilding world, has been absent from the Mersey since 2001 when the previous company bearing the name collapsed.

Since then, new business Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders (NSL) has resumed work at the yard and won many major contracts.

On Monday the business once again began trading under the name Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders.

The firm’s managing director, John Syvret, a former apprentice at the old Cammell Laird, said the historic name would attract more clients and create more skilled jobs.

He said: “The reality is that, whenever we’re talking to customers, employees or suppliers, people always asked where NSL was.

“When we said Cammell Laird, they said ‘we know where you are’. Everybody knows Cammell Laird. They know this yard as Cammell Laird.

“NSL has done a fantastic job and it’s built up a very enviable reputation in the refit, conversion and ship repair market in the UK.

“It’s a massive brand and our intention is to use the power of that brand to catapult the company into the international marketplace.”

In June NSL won a contract with the Ministry of Defence for the maintenance of Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, potentially worth up to £1bn over 30 years.

Mr Syvret said the yard would now look to grow its marine services business in international ship building, refits, repairs and conversions.

Wirral Council leader Steve Foulkes said the name change was “fantastic news”.

He 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.

“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.”