Salko UK is proud to celebrate 25 years in business – a milestone that gives us the perfect opportunity to look back at how far we’ve come, the challenges we’ve conquered and the people who have shaped our journey along the way.

Founded in 2000 by CEO Dean Murphy, Salko UK began in a modest multi-occupancy office on the site of the former Goole shipyard, with much of the early planning and problem-solving taking place from a rudimentary office in Dean’s back yard.

At the time, UK industry was changing fast, the decline of coal mining and traditional heavy industries had left a highly skilled workforce searching for new opportunities, while the energy sector was beginning to evolve.

Salko UK’s first step into supporting power generation projects was simple but significant,  supplying a single mechanical fitter to support a client’s in-house team. That flexible, people-first approach quickly proved its value and laid the foundations for a business built on trust, adaptability and specialist expertise.

Growing with industry

Over the past quarter of a century, Salko UK has grown alongside the industries it serves. From early work at Hatfield Colliery, one of the UK’s last operational coal mines, the business expanded into mechanical and electrical installations, Balance of Plant (BOP) packages, fabrication and full workforce provision for complex, large-scale projects.

Today, Salko UK operates across energy (including nuclear), mining, industrial, manufacturing and infrastructure, delivering fully integrated mechanical and electrical solutions nationwide. Since inception, the business has achieved an impressive 65-fold increase in revenue, building a strong portfolio of 16 long-standing clients across the UK and Ireland.

Growth by the numbers

The scale of Salko UK today reflects that steady, organic growth:

• 20 full-time staff based at our head office
• Over 160 site-based specialists working nationwide
• 161 jobs created in the past 12 months, a company record!

Our workforce includes electricians, pipefitters, welders, riggers, supervisors, quality engineers and construction managers – teams we’re incredibly proud of and who remain at the heart of everything we do.

From a back yard to a 3.5-acre headquarters

One of the most important milestones in our journey was moving to our bespoke 3.5-acre headquarters in Spaldington, East Yorkshire, equipped with an on-site gym for staff.

With fabrication and workshop facilities located nearby and more recently an on-site staff gym and wellness programme, this move marked a new chapter in how we support both our people and our clients.

Along the way, we’ve worked on a diverse range of projects, from electrical and mechanical upgrades for David Lloyd Leisure and the Macdonald Hotel Group, to supporting film production crews in our early years – a reminder of just how varied our journey has been.

Looking ahead

Last year, Salko UK was awarded the full mechanical scope for a major new open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) energy project in Immingham, reinforcing our role in supporting UK energy resilience and the transition to net zero. We’re also proud to be contributing to the Woodsmith Mine project, one of the most ambitious and technically complex engineering projects in the UK today.

As the Humber region works towards its 2030 industrial decarbonisation vision, the team is excited to continue supporting renewable energy, nuclear and low-carbon infrastructure projects – bringing a quarter of a century of experience, innovation and reliability to the next generation of UK industry.

Here’s to the next 25 years!

To find out more about our work, please visit: https://www.salko.co.uk/case-studies/