Saint-Gobain PAM UK has appointed NCM Auctions to manage the full clearance of its Holwell Works foundry in Melton Mowbray, marking the end of an era for a site that has been central to the town’s industrial heritage for over 150 years.
Established in the 1870s, the Holwell foundry has long been a key player in manufacturing access covers and gully gratings used in the road, water, and utility industries. However, the site will now close as production moves to a Saint-Gobain PAM facility in Blénod, France. This relocation is expected to reduce PAM UK’s road ironwork carbon emissions by half and support customers in achieving their net-zero goals.
NCM Auctions, a Yorkshire-based auction and asset management firm, has been tasked with overseeing the clearance of the nine-acre Holwell Works site. The clearance project will combine careful decommissioning with maximising the value of the site’s assets through auction and private treaty sales. The initiative underscores Saint-Gobain PAM’s commitment to responsible site management, with NCM ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards during the entire clearance process.
The exclusive online auction will feature a wide range of specialist foundry equipment, including induction furnaces, dip ovens, overhead magnet cranes, robotic welders, and milling machines. Other items up for sale include compressors, conveyors, and hoppers, along with a variety of other equipment used in the site’s melting, moulding, finishing, and assembly processes.
Despite the closure of the site, Saint-Gobain PAM UK is committed to sustainability. The company’s approach prioritises the repurposing and recycling of the equipment and machinery at Holwell Works, benefiting local communities, small businesses, and charities. This sustainable approach aims to prevent valuable assets from ending up in landfill and supports the circular economy.
Amy Rutherford, Partnership Lead at NCM Auctions, described the contract award as a significant milestone for the company. “This contract represents a major achievement for NCM Auctions and highlights our position as a trusted partner for specialised industrial site clearances,” she said. “Saint-Gobain PAM’s commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our approach, where we focus on repurposing and recycling valuable resources.”
The auction has already attracted significant interest, with buyers from overseas showing a keen interest in the equipment, which will be suitable for a variety of manufacturing applications. The online catalogue for the auction is now live, with bidding set to end at 1pm on Thursday, 20 February. Private treaty offers are also being considered, and potential buyers can arrange viewings or get further information by contacting NCM Auctions.
The sale of the Holwell Works assets marks the final chapter for a key site in Melton Mowbray’s industrial history, but also signals a step towards Saint-Gobain PAM’s greener future.
