SME interview: Bradley McBain, MBA Engineering

Automation is continually playing an increasing part in the growing business that managing director Bradley McBain set up in 2009.

The firm, which is on track to deliver profits of £160,000 on £1.4m revenues, is always trying to maintain a competitive advantage; which McBain said centred around delivering efficiency and the very best cutting edge machinery.

Based in Wetherby, the firm supplies specialist laser cutting machinery for the UK engineering sector, as well as servicing and repairing. “Often when we get a large order in from a company in the region, that is fully automated machinery. The tech behind the machinery is massively advanced,” said McBain.

And in the coming year, the firm expects to expand further into supplying robotics to keep ahead of the changing manufacturing sector; as well as starting to offer factory relocation and machinery moves for firms who themselves are out-growing premises.

MBA Engineering imports machinery from the EU and so has been challenged by the Brexit vote already. McBain said: “The referendum is a challenge and I think it hit everyone. A direct impact is that the machinery we are offering is now more expensive.

“In many ways, we were already up against it because we are bringing a brand that nobody had heard of into the UK market at first. But we are overcoming that and people in the industry now know the brand through what we are delivering as a business.”

McBain said the firm had established itself in the marketplace by delivering good customer service and maintaining relationships with clients by ensuring they respond quickly so manufacturing firms have little down time between any servicing or repair work.

Machines retail around £500,000 and recently a large order was secured in Sheffield and McBain said it was an advantage being based in Yorkshire with its rich manufacturing heritage. Another key market that the firm is looking to focus on is Ireland.

McBain added that the firm was pushing for revenues of £3m next year and is part of an apprenticeship programme to inspire the next generation. “It has been a really enjoyable journey building up the business. There are sacrifices along the way to ensure that the business grows but that is always the case and I don’t sit and dwell on that.

“We have built the business up from nothing and it’s great to see what has been achieved.”

Outside of work, McBain – originally from Lancashire – is a keen cyclist and loves to explore the North Yorkshire roads and landscape. He is married and has two children.

Close