Who We Are
What We Do
Graphskill Ltd is a manufacturing company based in West Cumbria, we manufacture mostly industrial pipe supports but our products are used for a wide range of uses in many industries. Typical products include ubolts, cbolts, clips, clamps, hangers and specialist fasteners, we have exported these to over 80 countries and growing. Industries we supply include the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food industry, energy sectors and more. Some examples of clients are CERN, Armitage Shanks, McAlpine, John Laing, North West Water, Stauff, Carpenter & Patterson, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, Red Bull Racing, Lotus F1 and Powergen.
Our Mission
To set the standard in clamping pipes
Our Vision
Graphskill SUMS (Standard Universal Measuring System) to be recognised as the industry standard
Graphskill Through the Years
Originally, Tom Statter started the company as a mechanical engineering design office –PDS, Plant Design Services.
Manufacturing started in the family’s old garage with a make shift forge.
The move from the Old Fire Station Frizington to The Old Brewery Cleator Moor encouraged the new works to be called The Phoenix Works.
The new office was opened by the Tom’s new boss... The Cleator Moor Nat West Bank Manager
Main business revolved around fabrications for contracts to BNFL mainly used in the building of Pond 5 at Sellafield.
Main activity supplying pipe supports used in the THORP plant at Sellafield.
As activities at BNFL slowed to a trickle Graphskill had secured pipe support business within the paper industry mainly in Scotland & Wales
The recession had hit the north and began to bite.
UK business was built up and enabled the founders, Tom & Sybil Statter, to retire.
Lots of research to realise ambitions of direct exporting abroad.
Our first direct export to Maryland, USA.
Invention of our patented Series 1205 developed for our first European contact in German.
We are being recognised as a quality pipe support manufacturer in the UK & regular exports had reached Canada, Hungary, France, Holland & Italy to add to our original regular clients in the USA & Germany.
Ambitions were realised to move the company into e-commerce. Ron Taylor was instrumental in making these ambitions a reality and was later appointed as IT Director.
Introducing...
U-BOLTS-R-US
Regular exports now encompass more than 80 counties across the globe. We have developed many new ranges which leads to our new anti-friction rubber lined Series 1111 which has been Patent granted.
The business model of constantly expanding our range of products leads us to build the prestigious new office block. - The Dallas Project.
You know it adds up...
Graphskill ‘SUMS’ recognised by CERN - Switzerland
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world’s largest and most respected centers for scientific research. Its business is fundamental physics, finding out what the Universe is made of and how it works.
The West Wing – the next building project.
Building will commence in January of 2021.
Coronavirus hits the world but Graphskill continue with business without furloughing any staff.
Business is very busy especially with the on-line sales which trebled as orders were placed from home workers.
Despite COVID-19, we take delivery of our new laser cutting machine.
Two main challenges...
How to get a 4 tonne machine into the workshop with a 2.5 tonne forklift across the building site for The West Wing & then have it commissioned by overseas engineers during lockdown...
But we managed!
The brand new employee and stores facility is now complete and ready for full operation.
Graphskill Worldwide
Graphskill Ltd have exported to 80 countries worldwide