IT WAS an uplifting experience for Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh, when she officially opened the new base of engineering repair services specialist Dowding & Mills at Clifton Moor, York.

Derrick Arden, left, UK regions managing director of Dowding & Mills, and Lindsay Ross, managing director of Severfield-Reeve Projects, showed the MP a new 65-tonne crane in the workshop.

The new crane almost doubles the York branch's previous lifting capacity and provides a big increase in the working height under the crane enabling the new factory to handle much larger projects for Dowding & Mills customers.

The new facility is likely to be used by other factories in the Dowding & Mills UK network, part of a global enterprise with a turnover of £137 million and a staff of 2,400.

Anne McIntosh praised the new 78,000 sq ft, £5 million factory and offices built by integrated design build company, Severfield-Reeve Projects, of Thirsk.

Severfield-Reeve Projects supplied the four-acre site behind the Warner cinema complex, designed and built the new facility and provided finance in the biggest project in its 17-year history.

As well as helping to retain skilled engineering jobs in York by enabling Dowding & Mills to move within greater York from its base at Hull Road, the new factory offers future opportunities for job creation as it extends its capabilities in electrical and mechanical services.

The new building also has improved staff facilities including features such as secure bike shelters and personnel showers, in accordance with City of York Council's new Green Travel guidelines.

Updated: 09:35 Tuesday, June 18, 2002