Berry and Escott Ltd

Future-Proofing Industry: Insights from Berry & Escott Factory Tour

Berry and Escott Ltd — 20/06/2025

Made in the South West completed their second regional factory tour this week, welcoming more than 40 industrial leaders to Somerset-based Berry & Escott, a specialist engineering and fabrication firm with a growing national reputation.

The Bridgwater event was designed to give manufacturers an inside look at a business operating at the sharp end of sectors such as nuclear, defence, and clean energy, all while maintaining a firm commitment to high standards, innovation, and regional pride. Hosted by Sales Manager Scott White, the event offered an impressive deep dive into how Berry & Escott blends traditional engineering expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver turnkey solutions for high-compliance industries.

The factory tour attracted a strong cohort from the South West manufacturing community, including a group of Midlands-based Made in Group members who travelled to Somerset to support the network’s cross-regional collaboration.

Engineering Excellence, Local Roots

Scott White delivered a presentation that showcased not just the company’s impressive capabilities, but its strategic use of technology to meet the rigorous demands of its clients.

“At our core, we are a steel fabrication and engineering company,” said Scott. “But it’s what we do with our expertise, from 3D laser scanning to point cloud data integration, that really sets us apart. We deliver end-to-end solutions, from design to installation, in some of the most tightly regulated sectors out there.”

Berry & Escott’s advanced scanning technology has allowed the company to drastically reduce onsite issues and deliver on their ‘right first time’ philosophy, a crucial advantage in industries where precision and compliance are non-negotiable.

Among their many achievements, the company designed and installed a mechanical training simulator for the National College for Nuclear, a project that demonstrates both technical excellence and their contribution to the future of UK energy infrastructure.

Recent media coverage, including pieces from PES Media and the BBC, has highlighted Berry & Escott’s role in delivering major contracts at Hinkley Point C, the UK’s flagship nuclear power station project. It’s clear the company is fast becoming a key player in the UK’s clean energy future.

Growth, Investment, and Regional Optimism

The sense of optimism for Bridgwater and the wider Somerset region was palpable throughout the event. Berry & Escott made it clear that their commitment to the area is about more than location — it’s a belief in the region’s potential.

“We’re proud to be an SME, we’re proud to be based in Bridgwater, and we’re proud to be responsive to our customers,” said Scott. “But that responsiveness never comes at the expense of compliance. We’re proving you can work at speed without compromising standards.”

Berry & Escott's confidence seems well-founded. With increasing investment in both nuclear and battery technology in the area, Bridgwater is emerging as a strategic hub for clean industry — and Berry & Escott is right at the heart of it.

A Workforce Built for the Future

Jason Pitt, CEO of the Made in Group, reflected on the tour with clear admiration:

“It’s great to see the energy and positivity in this company. For me, that was a key takeaway. They’ve future-proofed the business, with more than 20% of their workforce at apprenticeship level. That gives them the perfect blend of youth and experience.”

This commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers is reflected not only in workforce composition but in Berry & Escott’s education-linked projects — such as their simulator work for nuclear training and collaborative engagement with local schools and colleges.

Cross-Regional Connections

The event wasn’t just about Berry & Escott. It also served as a platform for Made in Group’s expanding cross-regional collaboration. Members from Made in the Midlands made the journey to Somerset, bringing fresh perspectives and forging new relationships with their South West peers.

That connectivity is exactly what Made in the South West was established to foster: a peer-led network of industrial leaders who want to share ideas, drive growth, and support the next generation of manufacturing excellence.

Tony Mattravers who heads membership for Made in the South West said, “It’s not every day you get to walk around a business that’s delivering to nuclear clients and winning national awards, all while staying so grounded in their local roots. There’s a lot to learn here.”

Looking Ahead

With the success of this second factory tour, Made in the South West is clearly building momentum. The day was a perfect reflection of what the Made in Group stands for: knowledge sharing, regional pride, and an unwavering belief in the power of British industry.

Berry & Escott, with their impressive combination of innovation, compliance, and local investment, made the ideal host and gave attendees more than enough inspiration to take back to their own businesses.

Looking for ERP/CRM Recommendations – What Are You Using?

Berry and Escott Ltd — 18/05/2026

We're currently reviewing our ERP/CRM setup as the business continues to grow, and I'd be really interested to hear what other companies are successfully using day-to-day.

Our current system does some things very well, but we're starting to notice a few limitations as we scale and evolve as a business.

We're a project-driven engineering/fabrication company, so ideally we're looking for one system that can properly handle:

✓ Planning & scheduling work efficiently
✓ A strong CRM for a growing business
✓ Applications for payment
✓ Part invoicing projects as work progresses
✓ Workflow between office planning and shop-floor supervisors
✓ Importing BOMs from SolidWorks ideally

The big thing for us is finding one platform that genuinely works together well, rather than lots of separate systems bolted together.

I'm not really after polished sales pitches. I'd much rather hear honest feedback from real businesses using these systems every day.

What are you using?
Would you recommend it?
And what industry are you in?

We've already ruled out some of the larger enterprise systems like SAP as they're probably beyond what we realistically need.

Would especially appreciate feedback from fabrication, machining, engineering, manufacturing or other project-based SMEs.

Sometimes the best recommendations come from people dealing with the same operational headaches 🔥

Best Practice Visit June 2025 – Open Day for Made in the South West Members!

Berry and Escott Ltd — 30/05/2025

This is a fantastic opportunity for members to:

Tour the premises and see the innovative work happening behind the scenes

Share ideas, experiences, and best practices with fellow industry peers

Learn from each other and strengthen collaboration within the manufacturing and engineering community.

We look forward to seeing you then!

#madeinthesouthwest #engineering #manufacturing #collaboration #event

Lee Berry – One of Britain’s Great 100!

Berry and Escott Ltd — 06/02/2026

Lee Berry – One of Britain’s Great 100!

Berry & Escott are delighted to share that one of our Directors, Lee Berry, has been recognised as one of Britain’s Great 100! An outstanding accolade that celebrates individuals making a meaningful impact in UK manufacturing and engineering.

Lee was nominated thanks to his leadership, commitment to excellence, and significant contributions to Engineering. Although Lee wasn’t able to travel to London for the official celebration (sorry Jason Pitt), his award was proudly presented to him by Tony Mattravers, Membership Development Manager at Made in the South West.

Being named among Britain’s Great 100 places Lee alongside inspirational leaders and changemakers who are helping to strengthen British manufacturing, championing innovation, supporting communities, and driving growth.

Reflecting on the recognition, Lee shared:
“Its an honour to receive this award and to be included among the passionate individuals dedicated to manufacturing excellence. I am only part of the puzzle and this award is a true reflection of the outstanding people I am privileged to call colleagues.”

Please join the entire Berry & Escott family in congratulating Lee on this well‑deserved recognition!