THE Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon MP visited Halesowen firm Somers Forge and Adam Smith joined him for a tour of the giant complex - the first News journalist to gain access for over a decade.

SOMERS Forge has dominated the Halesowen landscape ever since it opened in 1866 but though the giant factory can be seen from across the town only it's 140 employees get to see what happens inside.

Signs warning about breaking the Official Secrets Act was the first clue that Somers Forge is not your average factory. The signed pictures of the Queen and Prince Phillip in the managing director's office is another. As is the Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria hanging on the wall.

The Mucklow Hill company has been helping the Royal Navy rule the seas for generations and the countless pictures of ships on display demonstrate the company's track record of building the best.

Mixing both traditional foundry methods with the latest technology Somers Forge bashes metal on an epic scale  - second only to the giant foundries in Sheffield.

The company hit the headlines in the 1990s when was revealed it helped build part of Saddam Hussein's infamous Super Gun. But the scandal is now long forgotten and the company is beating off competition from across the world to help equip the Indian and Malaysian navies amongst others.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was given a tour of the foundry, machine shop and the factory on Thursday and witnessed the mammoth 4,000 tonne Zdas Press machine beating bright orange metal into submission.

He said: "This is an extraordinary place and I had no idea the amount of work that Somers Forge does for the Royal Navy.

"This place is a real Black Country success story and is indicative of the brilliant manufacturing work which is going on that so many people noticing.

"The defence industry provides thousands of jobs in this country and there is more to come with the Government's ongoing commitment to build submarines, destroyers and the successor for Trident."

He added: "What is incredibly impressive about Somers Forge is how it beat off international competition from the Czech Republic and Italy to clinch contracts with the Indian and Malaysian navies."

Somers Forge is owned by the Folkes family who are based in Lye and the sprawling factory is run by 40-year-old managing director Tammy Inglis.

The former accountant, who has been with the business for 14 years, was delighted to tell the Defence Minister the firm is recruiting more staff.

She said: "We currently employ 140 people and hopefully by the end of the year this will be up to 150 people.

"We are an international company but retain a family feel - we even have three generations of one family  working for us."

With it's industrial size foundries which need to be white hot to mould giant lumps of metal it is fair to say Somers Forge must have the biggest gas bill in the town.

Mrs Inglis said: "Our energy bill is our second biggest outlay behind raw materials and we have to plan ahead to try and get the best deal on the price."

Proud of the cutting edge technology on the factory floor the managing director believes the company is in fine fettle for the future.

She said: "Our owners have continued to invest in machinery and equipment and this is paying off with us being able to bid and win contracts."

The company has the unique capability to manufacture components from as little as 1kg to 50 tonnes with lengths up to 23 metres.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris accompanied the defence minister around Somers Forge.

He said: "It is great that Mr Fallon could see for himself the impressive manufacturing work which is being done in the heart of Halesowen.

"Somers Forge is a great example of a company which mixes both traditional manufacturing with the latest high tech methods."

He added: "It really is a fascinating place to look around."