This week #madeinsandwell Monday celebrates Tipton-based engineering firm Doocey Group, which has just secured a £500K contract for part of the construction of Sandwell’s flagship Aquatics Centre.

Founded in 1981 by Michael and Annie Doocey, the family-run company has its head office on Watery Lane and main depots in Tipton and Cradley Heath. The business began life installing gas and water mains but soon diversified into plant hire, civil engineering, traffic management, water testing, recycling, drilling, electricity and groundworks. Doocey Group now occupies sites in Kingswinford, Birmingham and Cambridge and in 2015 it achieved a major milestone – having laid over 1000km of water mains.

Although the company serves the whole UK, it is still very much a family business and very proud of its strong Sandwell roots. Joint managing director Mark Doocey said: “We currently employ over 150 people, 90 per cent of whom live in Sandwell or the surrounding Black Country. Our commitment to workforce development allows us to retain and attract new talented people to the team. Doocey Group is very proud of its skilled engineers and proficient workforce.”

This commitment to investment in people was underlined by the opening of the company’s own training centre in 2009, ensuring its workforce is trained to stay ahead of technological developments and to give the highest standards of service to clients. 

Doocey Group are currently celebrating after landing a contract worth £500K to carry out part of the utilities preparatory work for the construction of Sandwell’s flagship Aquatics Centre. The company will be working closely with Western Power Distribution and Sandwell Council’s highways team on the trench excavation works and cable installation for the £60m project. Not only will this secure jobs and apprenticeships at Doocey Group, it is also hoped that the contract will generate an increased demand for materials, locally manufactured products and sub-contract processes further down the Sandwell supply chain.

Mark and his team are admiring of Sandwell Council and the support offered for local businesses. “As we grow, we hope to create further apprenticeships, training opportunities and jobs throughout the entire local supply chain. We hope to work with Sandwell Council in encouraging local suppliers to create closer links with the buyers at Doocey Group.”

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