Fletcher Moorland Ltd

Fletcher Moorland - Supports HNC Apprentices

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 13/01/2025

We had the absolute pleasure of giving Neil, an Engineering Lecturer from Stoke-on-Trent College, a grand tour of Fletcher Moorland Ltd, led by none other than our very own Matt Fletcher. This was a sneak peek of sorts, ahead of hosting 18 apprentices who are working hard on their HNC General Engineering Apprenticeship.

During the visit, we showed Neil around our busy workshops, giving him a real taste of what we do here at Fletcher Moorland. From breathing new life into motors to tackling tricky servo and electronic repairs, Neil got to see our team in action and the impressive variety of engineering solutions we deliver every day.

The visit wasn’t just about showing off (although we’re pretty proud of what we do!). It was a great opportunity to chat about how we can give the apprentices a hands-on experience to complement their studies. We’re keen to make their time here fun, inspiring, and packed with valuable insights into the real-world engineering industry.

We’re buzzing with excitement to welcome the apprentices soon. It’ll be fantastic to see them connect what they’re learning in college with how it all comes together in practice.

Whether it’s sparking their curiosity or helping them develop new skills, we’re ready to make their visit something to remember.

£80,000 Challenge to Celebrate 80 Years in Industry!

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 18/03/2026

And we’re off!

To help celebrate 80 years of Fletcher Moorland, we’re challenging ourselves to raise £80,000 for our charity partner the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, that’s £1000 for every year we’ve been supporting industry.

We kicked this off with an, “Around the World in 80 Days Challenge” everyone here at Fletcher Moorland is going to be contributing to us completing the 24,901 miles around the globe!

We were joined by Dougie Mac and their Mascot, Dougie to officially start this off with Matt Fletcher and Di Bouchier the first to get on the bikes and pedal!

This is just part one, I know right as if we’re only starting with this huge challenge!

We’ll also be hosting an 80 years Gala Dinner celebration at the BET365 Stadium home of Stoke City FC with our team, suppliers and customers. With lots of entertainment and fundraising opportunities on the night!

We hope you’ll support our activities by donating to this fantastic charity, that supports the people of Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire. Over 75% of their operational funding come from donations, and when you know it costs £56,000 a day to provide their services, every penny counts!

Get behind us and help us make a difference!

https://www.justgiving.com/team/fml-80-days-around-the-world

Fletcher Moorland announce Nidec Drives partnership...

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 09/12/2025

Fletcher Moorland achieves Authorised Partner status with Nidec Drives

Fletcher Moorland are pleased to announce that as of 1^st December 2025 we are an Authorised Partner of Nidec Drives, enabling us to directly supply the full Control Techniques range of products to our customers.

Matt Fletcher and Di Bouchier recently visited Nidec Drives’ UK Head Office to finalise the agreement and receive our Authorised Partner plaque. This marks an important milestone in the advancement of our long-standing relationship with Nidec Drives and begins a new chapter of opportunity.

Managing Director Matt Fletcher had this to say about Nidec Drives, CT brand:
“The Control Techniques brand has been a common sight in our workshops since the mid 1980s with their early variable speed units. Whilst primarily our business was focussed on repair and refurbishment, the need to upgrade and retrofit drive units to support our customers has grown in recent years. Familiarity of the CT product with our engineering team means that we can either provide units from stock, or plan in an upgrade of older drives with ease. I’m proud that we are an Approved Nidec Drives Partner and this partnership will strengthen our service offering to our customers.”

This partnership strengthens our ability to provide a more streamlined and efficient supply chain, ensuring our customers benefit from direct access to the trusted Control Techniques brand, supported by Fletcher Moorland’s technical expertise and responsive service.

This announcement highlights the continued growth of Fletcher Moorland and reinforces the value of bringing high-quality drive solutions directly to our UK customers.

As an Authorised Partner, Fletcher Moorland can now offer:

Direct access to the complete Control Techniques inverter range
Faster supply and enhanced product availability
Technical guidance from an experienced, UK-based engineering team

This advancement of our relationship reflects Fletcher Moorlands ongoing commitment to providing industry-leading products, improving continuity of supply, and delivering exceptional value to our customers.

For more information about our capabilities or the Control Techniques range, please get in touch with our team.

Growth of Advanced Machining Centre

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 12/02/2025

Fletcher Moorland are investing further in our Advanced Machining Centre.

Led by Dave Allcock , having joined the business in January 2025 we are investing to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Following the successful purchase of a DMG DMU 50, we are seeking to complement its capabilities by acquiring a DMG CLX 450, equipped with a Siemens controller. This investment underscores our commitment to delivering precision and efficiency in our machining services.

We are open to approaches from suppliers who can provide a New or Used (5 years or under) DMG CLX450.

▪Maximum Workpiece Diameter: 400 mm
▪Maximum Workpiece Length: 800 mm
▪Maximum Bar Diameter: 80 mm
▪Y-Axis Travel: +/-60 mm
▪Z-Axis Travel: 700 mm

As part of our new workshop plan, we have identified the CLX as having the capabilities and footprint that suits are requirements. This expansion allows us to offer increased services, including batch milling and turning, to our customers.

All approaches will be considered.

Please contact Dave Allcock on:

📞 01782 411021
📨 Dave.Allcock@fletchermoorland.co.uk

Tools of Legacy: Matt Fletcher on Building Futures, One Apprentice at a Time

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 30/09/2025

By Ilona Pitt, Made in the Midlands

It began with a gift. A boy at the end of his first week of work experience, shoulders hunched with the uncertainty of whether he belonged. Matt Fletcher went down to the workshops and handed him a heavy black case - a socket set, spanners, screwdrivers - bought on impulse, meant to be passed over with little fanfare.

“I was just going to say, ‘There you go, well done,’” recalls Matt Fletcher, Managing Director of Fletcher Moorland, the family-run firm that has kept industry moving for nearly 80 years. But when the boy took it, he didn’t speak. Shock, disbelief, then a swell of gratitude crossed his face, and the room fell quiet.

In that silence, Matt felt something shift. He saw himself at 16, unboxing his first set of tools, feeling for the first time that the future might be his to shape. “I thought, I’ve done something good,” he says.

That small, unscripted exchange became the spark for #GetTooledUp. What began as a single gesture has grown into a monthly giveaway on LinkedIn, drawing hundreds of comments, shares and tags from across the engineering community. Almost 200 engineers have received toolkits worth tens of thousands of pounds. Sponsors and industry leaders have noticed.

But for Matt Fletcher, the heart of it has never been numbers or reach. It began with something far quieter, and infinitely more human: the moment one young engineer believed he was worth investing in.

Young engineers proudly receiving their toolkits through the #GetTooledUp initiative.

Ilona Pitt: Take me back to that first moment. You’ve described handing over a toolkit to a 16-year-old on work experience. What did you see in his reaction, and what did it do to you?

Matt Fletcher: I thought I’d just give it to him casually, socket sets, spanners, screwdrivers. But the look on his face… shock, surprise, gratitude. He didn’t know what to say. And then I felt it too, that wave of emotion, like I’d done something good. That’s what sparked #GetTooledUp.

IP: You’ve said that moment took you back to your own first toolkit. What do you remember about receiving yours?
MF: I was 16, borrowing other people’s tools. Then I got my own. It was excitement, the feeling of this is mine, this is for my future. It gave me independence. And I think that’s what I wanted to pass on: the sense that you’re not just borrowing someone else’s world, you’re building your own.

IP: Your connection to engineering goes back even further, to childhood weekends in the factory. What do you remember from those early days at Fletcher Moorland?

MF: Being dragged in by my dad, to be honest. Saturdays in the 1980s, sweeping floors, cleaning out sewage pumps. I remember the smell, the cuts on my hands, and being given the worst jobs. It was tough work, but that’s how you learn.

IP: You mentioned being dragged into the factory as a boy. At what point did you begin to see engineering not as a chore, but as your future?

MF: At school I was in the Army Cadets, and I seriously considered the Royal Engineers or the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers. That really appealed to me. But there was also an expectation that I’d join the family business. Fletcher Moorland was already in my blood. When I finished university, I had to choose: the Army or the business. In the end, I went straight into the business.

IP: That decision became very real in 2008, when you carried out the management buyout from your father, right as the global financial crash hit. What was that like?

MF: Trial by fire. One moment I’d bought the business from my father, the next the world was collapsing. It focused the mind tremendously. Suddenly, the responsibility wasn’t just mine, it was for dozens of families. That was the moment I had to grow up.

IP: Every leader has turning points. For you, what were the toughest?

MF: Two stand out. One was when we discovered a management accountant had stolen a great deal of money from the business. It was devastating. The other was Covid. Both times, we had to ask: will we survive this? And both times, the team pulled together. We reminded ourselves that it wasn’t just about wages, half the people here are related to someone else in the company. Entire families depend on us. That focuses you.

IP: And Covid, what did that period teach you about resilience?

MF: Every generation gets its test. My grandfather had the war. My father faced three-day weeks, oil crises, inflation. Covid was mine. We had to adapt overnight, focus on the customers who couldn’t stop: healthcare, pharmaceuticals, critical manufacturing. Times like that can destroy you, or they can reveal opportunities. For us, repairing and refurbishing became more important than ever.

IP: You’ve said Fletcher Moorland has been doing the circular economy for decades, long before it was a buzzword. What do you mean by that?

MF: We’ve been repairing and recycling for 80 years. If a motor fails, most people think about scrapping it. But we take it apart, rewind it, refurbish it, put it back into service. I always say recycling skips a step. Why melt it down when you can bring the whole unit back to life? It saves carbon, saves cost, and keeps industries moving.

IP: That feels especially relevant with today’s supply chain pressures.

MF: Exactly. With Covid, delivery times for new components went through the roof. With rare earth magnets, people were waiting months. So they came to us. Repairing isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for Britain’s resilience. And it’s satisfying to know that in an industry chasing green targets, we’ve been quietly sustainable all along.

IP: Your philosophy on people seems to mirror that, repair, nurture, give them tools, give them chances. What does developing people mean to you?

MF: Whether it’s cliché or not, I just want people to be the best they can be. We can’t always find the engineers we need in the marketplace, we have to grow them ourselves. Yes, there’s a risk. You invest in people, and they might move on. But that’s life. You don’t raise children expecting them to never leave home. You give them what they need to thrive.

IP: That’s where apprenticeships come in. What does a successful one look like to you?

MF: It’s someone with the desire to learn. They might arrive without skills, but over time they gain them - and with them, confidence. For me, the best apprentices leave here multi-skilled. They can turn their hand to anything. And they’re happy. That’s success.

IP: You’ve turned that same philosophy outward through #GetTooledUp. What’s the bigger vision for it - and for those reading this, how can they get involved?

MF: It started with one toolkit, and now almost 200 young engineers have their own. Each month I post a giveaway on LinkedIn - sometimes a starter set, sometimes a full cabinet. At first I funded it myself, later Beta Tools UK came on board, which helped me scale it up.

But it’s never been about branding or reach. It’s about telling someone at the very start of their journey: you belong here, you’ve got what it takes. And if others want to join in, they don’t need my permission. Buy a toolkit for someone in your workplace. Partner with a supplier. Set up a local version. The point isn’t ownership, it’s impact. One act of encouragement can spark a career.

Matt Fletcher promoting the monthly #GetTooledUp tool giveaway on LinkedIn.

IP: You’ve spoken about legacy, not just for Fletcher Moorland but for British engineering. What do you hope people will remember about your contribution?

MF: For me it’s simple: if I’ve helped people, if someone can look back one day and say, “I got something from Matt, whether it was a toolkit, a lesson, or just encouragement,” that’s enough.

IP: You’ve said something powerful to young apprentices: that they’re not starting at the bottom, but at their beginning. Why does that matter?

MF: Because words shape how you see yourself. If you tell someone they’re at the bottom, it devalues what they’re doing. But if you tell them it’s their beginning, it reframes everything. It says: you’ve already started, and there’s only upwards to go. That’s what I want young people to believe.

IP: And #GetTooledUp, do you see it as something bigger than you?

MF: Absolutely. I’ve never seen it as mine to own. I’m not precious about it - I just want good to come from it. If other businesses want to run their own versions, or gift tools and knowledge, I’d welcome it.

If #GetTooledUp can spark that - if it makes others step in, invest in a young person, and say “you belong here” - then it’s already bigger than me. It’s not about tools, really. It’s about belief.

That spirit of giving, of belief, of building futures is exactly why Matt Fletcher has been nominated to the Great100, in the Made Futures category. This category celebrates those shaping the next generation of British industry, the mentors, educators, and champions who ensure skills, knowledge, and confidence are passed on.

Matt’s nomination is not simply recognition of a campaign that has given away almost 200 toolkits. It is about the culture he embodies: a belief that the future of engineering is built tool by tool, apprenticeship by apprenticeship, moment by moment.

In the end, his legacy may not be measured in balance sheets or buildings, but in people, in young engineers who look back one day and say, “I got my start because someone believed in me.”

As Matt Fletcher tells every apprentice: “You’re not starting at the bottom. You’re starting at your beginning.“ A simple line, but one that carries the weight of a legacy.

Charity Golf Day - Win a 4-Ball at JCB Golf & Country Club with Fletcher Moorland

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 29/04/2026

As part of our 80th Anniversary Charity Fundraising we're giving an individual plus 2 friends the opportunity to join us at the prestigious JCB Golf & Country Club for a 4-Ball on us.

It's not just a great day of Golf we'll also be covering the cost of all refreshments on the day. So, even if you don't have a great day on the fairways you can enjoy the hospitality of the 19th!

There's the bigger picture to think of to!

Fletcher Moorland are looking to raise £80,000 for our charity partner the Douglas Macmillan Hospice. £1000 for every year we've been in industry!

The Dougie Mac are a local charity who provide care and support to children, youth and adults during the most difficult of circumstances. Provide compassion and respite when it's most needed. To operate costs them £56,000 a day and we want to ease that financial burden a little by raising as much as we can.

⛳ Win an Exclusive 4-Ball at JCB Golf & Country Club

Play one of the UK’s most prestigious courses on us, and support the Douglas Macmillan Hospice in the process!

Fletcher Moorland are giving one lucky winner the chance to enjoy an unforgettable day at the stunning JCB Golf & Country Club.

You and two guests will join us for a premium golf experience, including a full round on this world-class course, plus all refreshments covered throughout the day.

🎟 How to enter

Make a donation to be entered into the prize draw:

£10 = 1 entry

£20 = 5 entries

There’s no limit to how many times you can enter.

Use this link to enter now!

🎁 The prize

1 x 4-ball at JCB Golf & Country Club

Includes the winner + 2 guests playing alongside a Fletcher Moorland representative

All refreshments included on the day

📅 Key details

Entries close: 03/07/2026

Winner selected at random

Winner will be contacted directly and announced across our social channels

💡 Free entry route

No donation is necessary to enter. To enter for free, send your name and contact details to: [Fletcher Moorland, Elenora Street, ST4 1QG]

Monthly free tool giveaway for young, aspiring and apprentice engineers in the UK

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 25/09/2023

Monthly free tool giveaway for young, aspiring or apprentice engineers in the UK.

I've been running this on LinkedIN since the start of 2023.

Kicking off the week, a little later in the month than I had planned, is September's #GetTooledUp free tool draw for young, apprentice or aspiring engineers.

This month I've got five sets of nut-runners, or nut-spinners, whatever you may call them, to give away.

When I was first on the bench, many years ago with a basic Halfords toolkit. These were the things I really wanted. I was stripping down small electric motors and had to keep pestering the other lads to borrow theirs. Easier to use than a socket set or spanner, these Wera Tools UK sets are a brilliant addition to any tool box.

If you are, you know, or you work with any young, aspiring or apprentice engineers. Get them to like this post, follow me and comment below to be in the draw with a chance to win one of these sets.

I'm doing this every month to give those starting off their careers in engineering a helping hand to get decent quality tools in their toolbox.

Three things that are needed to be in with a chance.
1 - Follow or connect with me.
2 - Like the post
3 - Leave a comment (Only those who leave a comment will be in the draw)

The draw will take place at midday on Friday 29th September 2023.

Good luck everyone.

#apprentices
#youngengineers
#career
#youth
#engineering
#mainteancneandrepair
#maintenanceengineer
#UKengineering
#UKmfg

Fletcher Moorland | Host HNG General Engineering Apprentices

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 28/01/2025

Fletcher Moorland were recently approached by Stoke-on-Trent College to support 16 of their HNC General Engineering Apprentices with “Day in Industry” workshops. As an Engineering Company that prides itself on investing in its team, we welcomed the opportunity to support Stoke-on-Trent College with the development of their HNC General Engineering Apprentices.

With an insight on their learning objectives we tailored a split half day workshop to provide real-world insight into electric motor maintenance, servo motor maintenance, and the application of reliability services in these fields.

Fletcher Moorland Celebrates 80 Years Of Keeping Industry Running

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 09/07/2026

Fletcher Moorland Celebrates 80 Years of Keeping Industry Running

On Saturday 4th July, Fletcher Moorland celebrated an incredible milestone, marking 80 years of engineering excellence with a Gala Dinner at the iconic BET365 Stadium.

The evening brought together colleagues, customers, suppliers, friends and family to celebrate not only the company's rich history, but the people whose dedication, expertise and values have shaped Fletcher Moorland since 1946.

Hosted by television presenter Jonty Sargeant, the celebrations began in memorable style as Managing Director Matt Fletcher and his World Champion dance partner, Anaastasia, performed their specially adapted Viennese Waltz from last year's Strictly Knot Dancing charity competition. Dancing to Delilah by Tom Jones, the performance quickly had the room singing along and set the tone for an unforgettable evening.

Guests also heard from two inspirational speakers. Tom Bouchier, Vice President of FANUC Europe, hosted a lively chat show featuring Malcolm Fletcher, Jean Fletcher, Matt Fletcher, Di Bouchier and long-serving engineer Ron Snape, who shared stories spanning eight decades of Fletcher Moorland's history. Later, Dave Webster, CEO of Dougie Mac, spoke passionately about the hospice's vital work and the importance of continued community support.

A number of special presentations recognised those who have made exceptional contributions to the business. Malcolm Fletcher was honoured with a signed photograph of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team, before being surprised by a lone piper performing his favourite piece, Flower of Scotland. Jean Fletcher received a bouquet of flowers in recognition of her unwavering support and contribution over many decades.

Matt Fletcher was presented with a special award recognising his leadership and vision as the third generation of the Fletcher family to lead the business, while Operations Director Di Bouchier received a surprise spa break in appreciation of her commitment to Fletcher Moorland's people-first culture. Long-serving engineer Ron Snape was also recognised for an extraordinary 54 years of loyal service.

The evening included an exceptional three-course meal before turning its focus to fundraising. As proud partners of Dougie Mac, guests supported a silent auction featuring an array of generously donated prizes. Together they raised more than £5,000 on the night, taking Fletcher Moorland's fundraising total to £69,000 as the company continues towards its £80,000 fundraising target.

As the formalities concluded, guests celebrated long into the evening, reflecting on 80 years of engineering excellence, innovation and family values.

Reflecting on the occasion, Managing Director Matt Fletcher said:

"Reaching 80 years in business is something very few companies achieve, and it's only possible because of the incredible people who have been part of our journey. We're immensely proud of our history, but equally excited about our future as we continue to invest in our people, embrace innovation and remain committed to our purpose of Keeping Industry Running. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this special milestone and helped make it an evening none of us will ever forget."

For more on this story and to view photos from the night click here.

A more sustainable approach to electric vehicle component repairs.

Fletcher Moorland Ltd — 25/09/2023

Take a look at this beauty Joe is working on in our electronics workshop.

This is a BAE Systems Hybridrive, Propulsion Control System (PCS) for an electric bus. It is where the power from the onboard batteries is converted from DC to AC, then fed to the TB100 electric traction motor to propel the bus.

Joe, our technical services manager, is carrying out some cold-checks on the unit. He's checking for some common faults we see with these units before we move to a power-on test.

The main printed circuit board (PCB) that you can see might seem quite large. It is, it's one of the the largest PCBs I think we've ever seen being 600mm x 400mm in size. The whole unit is a remarkable feat of engineering, beautifully machined casing, spotlessly clean inside considering it's been strapped to the underside of a London bus for the past 10 years.

Bus and coach operators do cite availability of replacement traction motors and propulsion control units as an issue. Fortunately there is another option, refurbishing the failed ones.

It's great for UK jobs too as we do this work in the UK instead of the units having to be shipped overseas. Creating jobs in fault finding and repair skills is good as far as I'm concerned. We need more with current supply chain shortages. It's also good for sustainability too, I've no idea how much CO2 was used in creating one of these PCS units but I'm going to bet that the repair & refurbishment process uses only 2-3% of what creating a new one does.

#sustainability
#repairdontreplace
#electricbus
#electricvehicles
#DrivingAGreenerFuture
#zeroemission
#maintenanceandrepair