Turbine firm powers ahead

Like many engineering firms, it was a tricky year for Dundee’s ATL Turbine Services. But despite the Brexit and Covid pandemic challenges, the turbine repair company managed to increase its revenue and sales.

Newly filed accounts show sales of £7.4 million for the year ending June 30 2021, a rise of £165,000 on 2020. Pre-tax profits for the year were £1.3m, compared to £1.1m in 2020.

Chief executive Dale Harris praised staff for the performance.

He said: “ATL has had its challenges last year but our team has responded superbly to these.

“Brexit and coronavirusrelated issues continue to add significant cost to the business.

“But we have been able to maximise efficiencies and raise profitability back to pre-pandemic levels.”

ATL works across the defence aviation, civil aviation, industrial and marine sectors.

Export business fell slightly in the year from a third of turnover in 201920 to 28% in 20-21.

This impact Mr Harris puts squarely down to Brexit.

He said: “Exports were undoubtedly impacted by customers having to get to grips with new legislation and new ways of working.

“That led to them reining back on their usual volumes.

“We are seeing these beginning to rebound now.

“But less efficient home working, the ongoing impact of Covid selfisolation in our overseas customers and added Brexit bureaucracy mean processes take much longer than usual.”

ATL plans to enter new markets, being backed up with continued investment in equipment and training for its 82 staff.

Meanwhile, it has secured contract extensions worth up to £6.5m with two major customers.

Mr Harris said: “One is a five-year extension that takes us through to December 2026 and the other is a two-year extension to December 2023.

“Together, these contracts are worth up to £6.5m and will help provide growth and job security. It’s another testament to the great work done by our whole team.”

ATL is a one-stop shop turbine component repair facility, dealing in both aero and light industrial turbines.

The company’s history in Dundee dates back to the early 1980s.