NCM Auctions has been appointed by Saint-Gobain PAM UK to manage the complete decommissioning and clearance of its historic Holwell Works foundry in Melton Mowbray. The auction and asset recovery experts will also oversee the sale of equipment and machinery from across the entire site.
Founded in the 1870s, the Holwell foundry has been a key part of Melton Mowbray’s industrial history for over 150 years, producing access covers and gully gratings for the road, water, and utility industries. The closure follows a strategic decision to transfer production to Saint-Gobain PAM’s sister facility in Blénod, France, a move designed to halve the company’s carbon emissions from road ironwork production and support its customers’ net zero ambitions.
NCM will manage the full site clearance, combining responsible decommissioning with asset recovery through auctions and private treaty sales. Saint-Gobain PAM has ensured that the process adheres to strict environmental and safety standards, highlighting their commitment to responsible site management.
The auction catalogue includes equipment from the nine-acre site, ranging from melting and moulding systems to workshops, finishing lines, and scrap recovery plants.
Featured items in the online auction include induction furnaces, dip ovens, robotic welders, manipulators, and overhead magnet cranes. Also available are milling machines, lathes, conveyors, hoppers, compressors, and a wide variety of other machinery.
Demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, Saint-Gobain PAM is focusing on repurposing and recycling equipment rather than simply disposing of it. This approach benefits local businesses, charities, and the wider community while preventing unnecessary landfill waste.
Amy Rutherford, Partnership Lead at NCM, said: “This contract award from Saint-Gobain PAM represents a significant milestone for NCM Auctions and reinforces our position as a trusted and leading partner for specialised industrial site clearances like the Holwell Works site.
“Saint-Gobain PAM’s commitment to sustainability aligns with our approach, where valuable resources are repurposed, recycled and reintegrated into the circular economy.
“Due to the size and scale of this site, the auction includes hundreds of assets, from specialist foundry and steelmaking lines to industrial machinery that will be suitable for a wide variety of manufacturing applications. We’ve already had a lot of interest from overseas buyers.”
The auction is live now, with bidding closing from 1pm on Thursday, 20 February. Private Treaty offers are also being considered, and further information can be obtained by contacting NCM on 01302 898260 or via email.
