Our History

Trickett Welding was founded by Graham Trickett, whose welding career began as an apprentice fabricator welder in the local shipyard. He went on to work in oil refineries, power stations and across the engineering industry, developing the high standards of workmanship that still form the foundation of the business today.

In 1975, Graham started Trickett Welding from the garage of his home in Canford Heath, while still working full-time - often welding late into the evening to establish the business and build its early reputation for quality workmanship.

In the mid-1970s, MIG welding was still a relatively new technology, with many repairers continuing to rely on ARC or gas welding methods. At the time, a MIG welder represented a major investment - costing roughly the same as a small car. Demonstrating his commitment to high-quality workmanship and modern engineering methods from the very beginning, Graham invested in a new MIG welder and a Bradbury vehicle lift, establishing the foundations of the specialist vehicle welding capability that still defines Trickett Welding today.

In 1977, following increasing demand for his work, Graham left full-time employment to focus entirely on developing Trickett Welding as a dedicated full-time business. Later that same year, he moved into rented premises at Arrow Works, Lytchett Minster, sharing workshop space with a local machining company.

During these early years, Nigel Trickett began gaining hands-on engineering experience at weekends from the age of 12, working on the lathes for the machining company that shared the workshop while his father was welding - an early introduction to the practical engineering skills that would later become central to the business.

At the time, vehicle welding was often seen as a short-term repair trade, and it was even suggested by a local tool supplier that a welding business like ours would not last long. More than 50 years later, we are proud to have proved otherwise, continuing to operate as a thriving and trusted local specialist business.

By 1978, the company began specialising in motor vehicle welding repairs, initially supporting local garages with structural corrosion repairs required to pass MOT tests. Much of the work carried out in those early years involved saving vehicles that might otherwise have been scrapped - many of which are now the classic vehicles we recognise and appreciate today.

During the late 1970s and 1980s, a significant amount of work was also carried out for another well-known local family business, Brian Whiteside & Co Ltd, a Renault specialist. Over the years, Graham and Brian developed a strong working relationship and friendship, and their sons Nigel and Paul Whiteside also became friends through this connection.

In 1981, Nigel Trickett joined the business full-time aged 16, helping develop Trickett Welding into the respected family-run specialist operation it is today.

In the mid-1990s, Graham Trickett stepped back from welding due to back problems. While he remained actively involved in the business, Nigel took over the day-to-day running of Trickett Welding, continuing its development as a respected specialist vehicle welding and repair workshop.

In 1996, Trickett Welding purchased its own premises and relocated operations to the current site at 48A Holton Road, refurbishing the workshop to suit the growing needs of the business at that time.

Also in 1996, Neil Webber joined the business as an apprentice. Neil remains with Trickett Welding today and is a master craftsman, widely respected for his exceptional welding and fabrication skills. Over the years, he has worked closely alongside Nigel and made a major contribution to the continued growth and reputation of the business.

In 2023, after a long career in the motor trade himself, Paul Whiteside joined Nigel’s team, taking on responsibility for the administrative and customer-facing side of the business. His support has allowed Nigel to focus more on workshop operations while also providing greater flexibility in managing the day-to-day running of the company.