Beal Architectural, a fourth-generation family-run business based in Birtley, is marking its 90th anniversary by undergoing a major recruitment drive and doubling its turnover. The company achieved exceptional growth in recent years under the leadership of managing director Chris Dobbing, along with fellow directors Martin, Tom, Garry, and Mark. Beal Architectural specializes in providing tailored project management, manufacturing, and installation services for architectural metalwork and secondary steelworks, making it a key player in the construction sector in the North East and across the UK. The company has been involved in several high-profile projects, including the Sunderland Civic Centre, Newcastle Science Central, and Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square.
Reflecting on the company’s growth, Chris Dobbing stated that “these setbacks provided us with an opportunity to reset our direction and bring in fresh ideas and thinking which Tom, Martin, and Garry are now driving forward at pace and with great energy.” Beal Architectural invested £200k in equipment, processes, vehicles, and training, which has enabled the company to attain a turnover exceeding £5m this year. The new staff, who will add to the existing 50-strong team, are required to support the growing number of projects, particularly in Scotland, where the company sees a real opportunity for sustained growth.
Chris and his brother Stuart joined the business in the 1970s, working alongside their father, Douglass Dobbing Jr, who began working with his father, Douglass Dobbing Sr, who bought the firm from the Beal family during the 1950s. Beal Architectural has a production facility, including state-of-the-art technology and an overhead craneage system, offices, and a storage area, housed within its two-acre site in Birtley.
In conclusion, Beal Architectural’s 90th-anniversary celebrations reflect the company’s recent rapid growth and investment in its future by creating jobs, expanding its portfolio of projects, and driving the company towards greater success.
