DavyMarkham - News
DavyMarkham Proudly Displays 'Made In Sheffield' Mark Of Origin

A laser-engraved stainless steel plaque, displayed at the head office of DavyMarkham, commemorates the firm's membership of the Made In Sheffield mark of origin initiative. It was unveiled jointly by Managing Director, Kevin Parkin, and Made In Sheffield Director, Richard Edwards, and represents the Sheffield engineering company's commitment to a world-renowned symbol of manufacturing quality. The custom-made plaque is apt, since Sheffield is the home of stainless steel, the city is synonymous internationally with metals and metallurgical technology, whilst DavyMarkham itself is competing in global markets with its precision heavy engineering skills that are unmistakeably 'made in Sheffield'.

DavyMarkham is now one of many local manufacturing companies proudly declaring their Sheffield credentials, through the use of the Made In Sheffield symbol, and helping to promote British technology overseas. Its industrial origins date back to the foundation of Davy Bros of Sheffield in 1830 and Markham of Chesterfield in 1889, both of which fall within the boundaries of the ancient county of Hallamshire, a precondition for the mark of origin. Today, its Sheffield-made plant and capital equipment can be found in the gold and nickel mines of North America, tunnels in the Republic of China, steel mills in India, generating power in major hydroelectric and nuclear installations, and spanning waterways in London, Hong Kong and San Francisco.

"DavyMarkham is an organisation with a strong local identity, which has gone from strength to strength in recent years,' says Made In Sheffield Chairman, Charles Turner, welcoming the company to the Made In Sheffield initiative. "The firm's commitment to excellence in engineering design and to the quality of its bespoke products reflect some of the core values of the Made In Sheffield brand. It also epitomises the vital role of flexibility and innovation in maintaining a place at the leading edge of manufacturing.'

"We're proud that there are now over a hundred organisations of the calibre of DavyMarkham, which are committed to flying the Made In Sheffield flag,' he adds.

Kevin Parkin feels that the decision to join the Made In Sheffield initiative was a straightforward one, since it offers the prospect of real competitive advantage: "Worldwide, more people have heard of Sheffield and associate the name with manufacturing quality, than any particular member company,' he says. "I am totally convinced of the commercial value of a brand that has stood for quality, from the very earliest days of manufacturing.'

Two years ago reverting to its legacy name DavyMarkham and the subject of a successful management buyout in July 2007, the company currently employs its impressive manufacturing resources and world-class heavy engineering expertise to compete globally in such markets as steel production, mining and tunnelling, moving bridges and structures, gear manufacturing, energy and machinery reconditioning. Landmark projects in which the company has been engaged of late include the award-winning Gateshead bridge, the iconic Heathrow air traffic control tower, one of the deepest mine shafts in Canada, the biggest tunnelling contract in China, the Niagara Falls hydroelectric scheme and South Asia's largest steel plate plant.

"Restoring the DavyMarkham name was one of the best things we've done,' concludes Kevin Parkin. "We are now in a position to capitalise on our strong pedigree as a Sheffield-based manufacturing business, which is competing effectively in a global marketplace.'

Issued September 2008 Ref DM142