Six decades after Cross Engineering began in a garage in Gower, the independent family business celebrated its 60th anniversary with the people who helped build it and the generation now carrying it forward.
The company marked the milestone at its Penllergaer workshop, bringing together current and former employees, past and present customers, business colleagues, and friends and family.
Founded in 1966 by Alun and Angela Looker at their home in Llanmorlais, Cross Engineering moved to Penllergaer four years later to work closer with their key customer at the time, 3M, and has remained an independent Swansea business since.
Today, Cross Engineering remains a true family business, with third-generation family member Abigail Jeffreys leading the company alongside her father, David Jeffreys and sister, Rebecca Kinahan.
Works Director Andrew Phillips, who has been part of the Cross Engineering story for 38 years, also plays a vital role in operations, and together they continue to build on the foundations established six decades ago.
Rebecca said:
“Reaching 60 years is something we are immensely proud of. What made the celebration special was having so many of the people who have been part of Cross together in one place. We had current and former employees, customers we have worked with for many years, suppliers, friends, colleagues and our families here. Cross has always been about its people and the relationships we build, and I think the day reflected that perfectly.”
The anniversary celebration also welcomed Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi, Swansea Council Deputy Leader Councillor Andrea Harrington and Gorseinon Town Mayor Councillor Joe Clayfield, alongside guests from across the South Wales business community who all enjoyed a tour of the facilities to see first-hand how Cross has evolved.
Tackling everything from one-off components and emergency repairs to specialist fabrication and bespoke projects, Cross works across steelmaking, aerospace, food production, pharmaceutical and many other industries.
Its waterjet cutting capabilities have also opened the workshop to very different commissions, including architectural and creative projects and collaborations with artists working in materials such as stone, tile and recycled glass.
David said:
“There’s a huge amount of experience within Cross. We have been fortunate to employ some incredibly skilled and dedicated engineers, with several members of our team having been with us for more than 30 years. Their knowledge, commitment and craftsmanship have been instrumental in building the reputation we’ve earned over the years.”
For Andrew, the anniversary was an opportunity to see the wider Cross Engineering family together and recognise the contribution made by people throughout the company’s history.
He reflected:
“We’re proud to be investing in the next generation through our apprenticeships, helping ensure we continue to develop the skills and capabilities needed for the future as technology develops.”
While the anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate six decades in business, Abigail made it clear that Cross Engineering is looking ahead, with further investment, new projects, and developing the next generation central to its plans.
Abigail said:
“Sixty years gives us a lot to be proud of, but we are certainly not standing still. We are continuing to invest in new machinery and technology, while the knowledge within the team, led by Andrew Phillips and Andrew Evans, allows us to get the most from that investment. Engineering keeps changing, and so do the challenges our customers bring to us. That is what keeps the business interesting, and there is still plenty we want to achieve. Whatever the challenge, our approach has always been simple: we make it happen.”
