Workforce investment drives growth at engineering company

A designer and manufacturer of control panels and systems is on track to double its turnover in the next five years by increasing productivity and efficiency and investing in its team.  

Normanton-based Bensons Control Panels is working with learning and development business, Pro–Development, to develop its team for the future to support the growth of the company.

The business, which aims to double its turnover from £3m to £6m in five years, has invested almost £40,000 over the last three years in empowering employees at all levels through employee engagement, one-to-one-coaching, individual development plans and through a leadership development programme.

Bensons Control Panels was established in 1961 when Yorkshire businessman Donald Benson began supplying oil gauges, rotary cup burners and controls to the heating industry.

The business quickly grew and while the successful gas engineering business continued, customer demand led Bensons to begin designing and building its first control panels.

Today the firm is led by managing director, Helen Culloden, who took the helm in 2018 following a management buyout which brought the company back into full family ownership.

Culloden said: “As we enter a new era, we are placing even greater emphasis on training and development. We are seeing our industry investing more and more in its people and we want to stay ahead of the curve.

“I believe that embedding our vision and equipping our people at all levels with the tools and skillsets they need will ensure we are all working towards a common goal and striving for growth.

“Since working with Pro-Development we have been able to provide invaluable training, support and development for our whole team.

“Much of the work was part-funded by external grants which Pro-Development was able to assist us in accessing.”

Michelle Mook, managing director at Pro-Development, added: “Employee engagement and leadership development are key drivers for growth in any businesses.

“These are often areas which are overlooked. However, Bensons’ forward-thinking approach and emphasis on continuous improvement has already seen an increase in engagement and the business is determined to work to maintain and increase these levels.”

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