A Legacy of Precision Since 1957
Roan Fab has a long proud history rooted in craftsmanship, engineering and innovation. Our founder, Bob Roan, started his apprenticeship as a coppersmith at Peter Brotherhood Engineering at the age of 15. Driven by passion, Bob developed a growing talent for working with sheet metal, and with ambitions to establish his own business, he set up a simple workshop in the stable behind the Gordon Arms Pub, in Peterborough, where he fabricated his very first order - a set of gates - with a value of £20. This marked the founding of our company, first known as RA Roan.
“Quality fabrication work is the core of our operations.” - Rob Roan
During the 60s, Bob’s reputation for quality fabrication and service caught the attention of British Sugar - one of the UK’s largest agricultural processing companies of the time - who constantly needed fabrication support. Much of the fabrication work was still reliant on traditional tools, skills and techniques. However investment in more advanced machinery for cutting and welding, was gradually introduced - increasing precision and efficiency in the workshop. This enabled the company to grow throughout the 70s, while maintaining high quality standards.
Bob’s son Rob, a skilful and innovative fabrication engineer, joined the team in the 80s and was made partner in 1985, forming Roan & Son Fabrication. Rob’s energy and focus on employing the latest technology allowed the company to increase its scope and capabilities. In order to accommodate this, and to service the rapidly expanding customer base, the workshop needed to expand, resulting in the first significant relocation, to a dedicated 1,500sqf facility in Alfric Square, Peterborough. This was quickly outgrown, but fortunately the neighbouring unit became available and the Roan & Son workshop was able to double in size.
Lead by Rob, Roan Fabrication’s customer base continued to grow in the 1990s and early 2000s. In order to keep up with the significant increase in customer demand, future investment in state-of-the-art machinery would be key. The company, once again, had its next move to a nearby 6,000sqf premises, in order to facilitate the introduction of CNC engineering and plasma cutting machinery. This allowed for larger and more complex projects - including a high-profile commission at Westminster Abbey - while maintaining the long established reputation of quality and service.
Recognising that the company’s future would always be combining new technology with traditional craftsmanship and attention to detail, Rob took on David as an apprentice in 1990, who had the enthusiasm to learn this ethos. Over the following 3 decades, David progressed through the company, having the ability to learn traditional techniques and understand the latest innovations in cutting, bending and welding. Today David proudly serves as General Manager, bringing decades of his experience and dedication to every operation.
By 2015, growth provided the basis to invest even further in advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment - expanding the capabilities and reinforcing the reputation for precision fabrication with increased speed and efficiency. This, once again, required a larger workshop space and Roan Fabrication moved into a 10,000sqf facility in Orton Southgate, where we proudly continue to operate today. By 2020, the next technological upgrade was the installation of the first flat-bed laser cutting machine. This coincided with the availability of the neighbouring unit and, once again, the workshop was able to double in size.
In 2024 the next generation of laser cutting machinery was commissioned shortly in advance of a change in ownership of Roan Fabrication. The combination of these 2 exciting developments have allowed the team to expand, increase sales and embrace a renewed enthusiasm to remain one of Britain’s most highly regarded and trusted engineering and fabrication companies. The new leadership remains committed to the same values that can be directly linked back to our founder - craftsmanship, integrity and dedication to service.
1960-1980
During the 60s, Bob’s reputation for quality fabrication and service caught the attention of British Sugar - one of the UK’s largest agricultural processing companies of the time - who constantly needed fabrication support. Much of the fabrication work was still reliant on traditional tools, skills and techniques. However investment in more advanced machinery for cutting and welding, was gradually introduced - increasing precision and efficiency in the workshop. This enabled the company to grow throughout the 70s, while maintaining high quality standards.
1990-2000
Lead by Rob, Roan Fabrication’s customer base continued to grow in the 1990s and early 2000s. In order to keep up with the significant increase in customer demand, future investment in state-of-the-art machinery would be key. The company, once again, had its next move to a nearby 6,000sqf premises, in order to facilitate the introduction of CNC engineering and plasma cutting machinery. This allowed for larger and more complex projects - including a high-profile commission at Westminster Abbey - while maintaining the long established reputation of quality and service.
2010-2020
By 2015, growth provided the basis to invest even further in advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment - expanding the capabilities and reinforcing the reputation for precision fabrication with increased speed and efficiency. This, once again, required a larger workshop space and Roan Fabrication moved into a 10,000sqf facility in Orton Southgate, where we proudly continue to operate today. By 2020, the next technological upgrade was the installation of the first flat-bed laser cutting machine. This coincided with the availability of the neighbouring unit and, once again, the workshop was able to double in size.
1980-1990
Bob’s son Rob, a skilful and innovative fabrication engineer, joined the team in the 80s and was made partner in 1985, forming Roan & Son Fabrication. Rob’s energy and focus on employing the latest technology allowed the company to increase its scope and capabilities. In order to accommodate this, and to service the rapidly expanding customer base, the workshop needed to expand, resulting in the first significant relocation, to a dedicated 1,500sqf facility in Alfric Square, Peterborough. This was quickly outgrown, but fortunately the neighbouring unit became available and the Roan & Son workshop was able to double in size.
2000-2010
Recognising that the company’s future would always be combining new technology with traditional craftsmanship and attention to detail, Rob took on David as an apprentice in 1990, who had the enthusiasm to learn this ethos. Over the following 3 decades, David progressed through the company, having the ability to learn traditional techniques and understand the latest innovations in cutting, bending and welding. Today David proudly serves as General Manager, bringing decades of his experience and dedication to every operation.
2020-2025
In 2024 the next generation of laser cutting machinery was commissioned shortly in advance of a change in ownership of Roan Fabrication. The combination of these 2 exciting developments have allowed the team to expand, increase sales and embrace a renewed enthusiasm to remain one of Britain’s most highly regarded and trusted engineering and fabrication companies. The new leadership remains committed to the same values that can be directly linked back to our founder - craftsmanship, integrity and dedication to service.
