Local welding equipment manufacturer TPS WeldTech has had a visit from Brian Whittle MSP. The South Scotland MSP met with Chairman Tom Palmer and his wife Margaret, who founded the business almost 50 years ago in Kilmarnock.
Today, their headquarters are still on the same site on the Loreny Industrial Estate in Kilmarnock where they began, but the business has grown to include other sites, and trades around the world. Since starting out as an equipment and consumables supplier to the welding industry, the Palmer family has expanded TPS over the years to offer servicing and equipment training as well as sales and hire of welding equipment designed and built to their own exacting standards.
With clients all over the world, TPS has developed an impressive list of customers; from the oil and gas industry in North East Scotland and the Middle East, to household names in the aerospace and motor industries. As Tom & Margaret have stepped back from the day-to-day running of the business, their son Keith has taken up the reins. Keith, who followed in the footsteps of his grandfather by becoming a qualified metallurgist, has opened up new markets for the business, securing substantial orders for the unique TPS products produced in Kilmarnock. With Keith away on business, Tom and Margaret were very happy to introduce Brian to the business before showing him some of the portable welders and welding robots that TPS produce.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“TPS WeldTech is another great example of a business in Ayrshire that’s built a global reputation in specialised engineering.
I’m grateful to Tom and Margaret for taking the time to tell me about their experiences of founding and growing TPS over several decades and showing me some of their welding technology. Starting a new business is a challenge, but so is keeping it going; it’s a huge credit to the Palmers that TPS is still going strong after nearly 5 decades and now has two generations of the family involved.”
Tom Palmer, Chair of TPS Weldtech said:
“The Palmer family can trace their involvement in the welding industry back to 1890, spanning 4 generations. Going forward more and more of our clients take advantage of our pedigree. It was a pleasure to welcome Brian, a knowledgeable member of the Scottish Parliament, to TPS.”
