Post-War Roots

Had-Fab’s roots go back to post-war East Lothian when Lothian Structural Developments (LSD) was set up to manufacture pylons for the developing National Grid system. LSD continued until the 1970s when a new company, Haddingtonshire Fabricators, was set up by the managers of LSD at HadFab’s current site. This new company continued to manufacture pylons and telecommunications towers until its demise in early 1993.

1993

Had-Fab was set up by the current directors and takes over the decrepit and dilapidated buildings and equipment of Haddingtonshire Fabricators. The workforce totalled five people and the aim from the start was to build a reputation for high-quality design and fabrication services.

1996

Implementation of our design facility, featuring CAD detailing for the design of steel and aluminium substation structures.

2002

Our first CNC angle/flat punching and shearing line is purchased. This transforms the accuracy and efficiency of the production of transmission towers.

2006

We invested in more CNC machinery – this time a drilling line for fast, accurate drilling of heavy section angles, channels, beams and hollow sections.

2007

Work begins – in conjunction with artist Anthony Gormley – on ‘Exposure’. This 60-tonne, 26m high ‘crouching man’ provides huge logistical and physical challenges along the way, but all are overcome by our team. The extraordinary artwork is now permanently installed at Lelystad on the Netherlands coast.

2009

An additional 20,000 square foot factory facility (adjoining our existing facility) is purchased and developed to be used for fabrication and welding. A CNC angle processing line was also acquired to cope with demand.

2010

The completion of the ‘crouching man’ in conjunction with the artist Anthony Gormley.

2011

We won a prestigious GAGA Award from the Galvanizers Association and two Structural Steel Design Awards (which recognise the high standards of structural and architectural design attainable in the use of steel and its potential). Two of the three awards are for our work on ‘Exposure’, which the judges in the latter competition described as “a remarkable steelwork structure”.

2012

Our office facilities are extended and we begin the development of the four-acre Old Aerodrome site (adjacent to our premises) as a new stockyard. The new yard will allow extension of our original site with more production space and more efficient materials handling.

2013

Our 20th anniversary year, with the company now established as specialists in all aspects of the production of electricity transmission towers, substation structures, and other fabrications from design through to erection. New facilities, the latest design software, cutting-edge fabrication machinery, and unrivalled expertise and experience all mark Had-Fab as a leader in its field. Our workforce now totals more than 80.

2014

In 2014 we fabricated a 93-metre tall steel lattice anemometer mast that now sits 15km off the Angus coast collecting wind data for a proposed offshore wind generation project.

2015

Had-Fab acquired additional land to build its new Penston site, this has helped to increase the company’s fabrication capacity significantly. The company also installed its first biomass heating system.

2016

The company purchased its first robotic welder and plasma cutting machine. Had-Fab introduced Strumis MRP systems to help improve production efficiency. Had-Fab also installed a second saw drill from Vernet/Behringer. In 2016 we also started to work on behalf of London Underground, assisting with the resignalling of the underground system.

2017

Had-Fab contributed to the iconic Queensferry Crossing with the manufacture and installation of 288 sets of Anti-Vandal Pipes. This gave Had-Fab an opportunity to demonstrate fabrication capabilities outside of key industrial sectors, Power and Rail.

2018

This year marks our 25th anniversary and the introduction of an exciting new robotic welder – which is able to produce up to 10000 masts per year. Our workforce totals 96 staff, including graduates and apprentices.

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