From hydrogen to SAF, Tulway is shaping the UK’s low-carbon infrastructure future 

Tulway Engineering (Tulway) is a national contractor delivering advanced engineering solutions across a wide spectrum of industries, with a strong focus on the energy, oil and gas sectors. Managing Director, Kevin Tully, shares some highlights of the company’s history: “Established over 25 years ago, the company has grown from a regional supplier to a nationally recognized fabrication specialist with state-of-the-art workshops in Knowsley and Teesside. Tulway’s growth is underpinned by our commitment to engineering excellence, continual investment in infrastructure, and a reputation for high-integrity workmanship. 

“Tulway provides full end-to-end engineering support, covering design, fabrication, and installation. Our core offerings include specialist pipework, structural steelwork, modular skid packages, and mechanical installation services. We also offer integrated solutions such as insulation, cladding, and in-house non-destructive testing in partnership with Incon NDT. This holistic approach allows us to streamline project delivery, reduce client risk, and ensure the highest standards of quality and safety. 

Key supplier 

“Bringing our testing services in-house has proved one of our most impactful recent collaborations, through partnering with Incon and AMS Testing. This strategic partnership not only reduces turnaround times and costs for our clients but also contributes to our sustainability goals by cutting carbon emissions by 25 tons per year. By integrating these critical services within our operations, we enhance quality assurance and project efficiency, especially for high-spec, time-sensitive energy projects. This investment complements our wider growth strategy, including the recent acquisition of a new workshop, further enabling us to support Tier 1 contractors on complex infrastructure programs.” 

Kevin then sheds some light on an exciting project for BP: “Net-Zero Teesside is a landmark initiative, and Tulway is proud to be positioned as a key supplier to Tier 1 contractors involved in the project. We anticipate a major role in the off-site fabrication of critical pipework and associated modular assemblies, backed by our newly expanded Teesside facility, now one of the largest of its kind in the region. Our investment in WPQRs and radiographic testing is attracting exclusive usage agreements, allowing us to accelerate project timelines while maintaining stringent quality control and securing the supply chain for customers.” 

Capitalizing on opportunities 

The company has also recently secured three high-profile hydrogen-related contracts. Kevin expands: “Each project involves the fabrication and installation of bespoke pipework systems for hydrogen production, storage, and distribution. These projects reflect Tulway’s growing reputation as a trusted partner for low-carbon infrastructure, and they highlight our ability to adapt traditional fabrication practices to suit emerging technologies in the hydrogen economy. All hydrogen projects will be delivered, installed, and tested by our teams, complete with 100 percent radiography on fully welded systems.” 

The increased demand for hydrogen-related infrastructure reflects a broader approach to achieving net-zero in the UK. Kevin reflects on the current technologies: “Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are crucial pillars of the UK’s net-zero roadmap. They represent scalable, long-term alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. At Tulway, we are seeing growing demand from clients seeking partners with the technical expertise and manufacturing capability to deliver infrastructure for these cleaner energy sources. Our strategy is to align our services with this transition, ensuring we are a key enabler of low-carbon solutions. There are three major SAF projects planned for Teesside, which we will no doubt be involved with during the early stages and beyond.” 

Capitalizing on the opportunities that the energy transition will present requires a reliable, skilled workforce. To ensure the security of its future, Tulway has opened a first-of-its-kind welding academy. Kevin outlines the program: “The Tulway Welding Academy was launched to address a growing skills gap in high-integrity welding, especially in the energy and nuclear sectors. It’s more than just a training facility, it’s a pipeline for workforce development. We are cultivating the next generation of welders using real-world projects and technologies like WeldEye for live weld monitoring, ensuring they are prepared for the demands of modern industry. Our apprentices can learn their trade using exotic materials such as super-duplex, something traditional colleges cannot afford to provide for training purposes.” 

Transformational year 

The scheme also reflects the company’s broader commitment to innovation. Kevin outlines the approach: “Innovation is embedded in our culture. Whether it’s through our investment in WeldEye, worth over £100,000, our adoption of automated pipe prep machines that reduce processing time by 80 percent, or strategic partnerships like our collaboration with Incon NDT, we are constantly looking for ways to deliver smarter, safer, and more efficient solutions. 

“We have also adopted a range of technologies to boost productivity and ensure precision. Our pipe end-prep equipment significantly cuts prep times, while WeldEye digitizes the weld monitoring process to ensure traceability and compliance. We also use automation in materials handling, with overhead cranes spanning all our fabrication bays, allowing us to handle high-tonnage components with ease. We have 100 tons of overhead lifting capacity on-site, which allows us to semi-automate much of our welding processes.” 

Looking ahead, Kevin outlines the company’s vision for the remainder of the year: “2025 is set to be a transformational year for Tulway Engineering. With several major projects moving into the delivery phase, we are preparing for a significant uplift in both fabrication volumes and on-site installation work. Our expanded facilities, increased headcount, and strategic partnerships are positioning us to handle some of the most demanding and high-profile energy infrastructure projects in the UK. We are also seeing strong momentum in the low-carbon and hydrogen sectors, where our expertise and capabilities are increasingly in demand. Overall, this year marks a period of scaling up, both operationally and commercially, as we continue building on our reputation for reliability, quality, and innovation. 

“Further afield, we are aiming to be the go-to fabricator for high-integrity pipework in the UK, with a diversified project portfolio spanning hydrogen, SAF, nuclear, and traditional energy. We want to be known as the benchmark for quality and reliability in engineered solutions. We are one of very few UK businesses that have experience in delivering for the gas transmission pipeline sector and oil & gas processing industries. We intend to leverage this expertise to deliver for customers both in the UK and overseas over the coming years.” 

Kevin concludes, reflecting on the company’s successes: “Everything we do is underpinned by our people. Tulway’s success is built on the dedication of our workforce and their commitment to delivering excellence. As we grow, we remain focused on safety, sustainability, and service, principles that have guided us from the beginning and will continue to define our future.”  

tulway.co.uk