A family-run engineering business in Carlisle is targeting growth after snapping up a city rival in a major deal.

R S Byers Engineering Ltd has acquired its near neighbour on the Kingstown Industrial Estate, Nixon Engineering Ltd (NEL) in a move which it says will expand the firm’s services and grow its revenues.

The deal has included NEL’s full premises on Peterfield Road, allowing R S Byers Engineering to offer new products and services to its customers, including fabrication work for the first time.

R S Byers Engineering provides mechanical and manufacturing engineering services for mostly SMEs across Carlisle, Cumbria, and the North West, alongside running a repairs service.

NEL’s five members have staff have also been retained as part of a deal backed by funding from Clydesdale Bank.

The bank provided a six-figure lending package towards the purchase of R S Byers Engineering’s key competitor, alongside working capital, which the business has used to buy new machinery including a 450-tonne hydraulic press.

The acquisition has seen its monthly turnover more than double, with new business added to NEL’s existing order book.

Nick Byers, director at R S Byers Engineering, said: “The idea of buying NEL was prompted by one of our customers and it made perfect strategic sense.

“Our own infrastructure needed to be upgraded and we needed more space and staff to grow.

“We’re now focused on enhancing the premises, with new machinery and aesthetic upgrades to improve the customer experience.

“In the future, we’re looking to acquire two ISO accreditations, as well as expanding the footprint of the services we offer, including to Scotland and further south to Birmingham.

“The acquisition is the key reason that we’re now able to lift our sights and expand more quickly.”

R S Byers Engineering was established by Robin and Patricia Byers in 1979, with Nick becoming a partner in 1992.

Andy Gibson, commercial relationship manager at Clydesdale Bank, said: “It’s a wonderful feeling to see the company seizing such an advantageous strategic opportunity.

“Given the company name is already synonymous with quality, this will only help them get stronger over time and attract new customers nationally.”