THE Torfaen AM has paid a visit to a leading manufacturer of engineering equipment in Torfaen to get a better understanding of her constituency’s involvement with the growing rail industry in south Wales and the wider nation.

Lynne Neagle visited Blaenavon-based G.O.S Tool & Engineering Services to hear how the company that started as an idea between friends now employs more than 100 people and is key to providing local jobs and supporting the rail network.

She said: “It was great to hear how G.O.S provides good quality jobs for people in Torfaen and supports the local economy.

“It was particularly fantastic to hear about the work the company is doing with the University of South Wales to support young people from the local area to become the engineers of the future.”

The trip to G.O.S was organised by Network Rail who were keen to show Ms Neagle that Torfaen is home to four businesses vital to its supply chain.

Andy Thomas, the route managing director for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, said: “With more people travelling by rail than ever before, Network Rail’s supply chain in Wales and Borders are helping us to deliver a safe, reliable, affordable and growing railway.”

Wayne Gregory, the engineering company's managing director, said: “We’ve really grown over the past 50 years, from an idea between my father and his friends over a drink to a successful business, employing over 100 people with a turnover of more than £9 million a year."