In under two years, since a £287,000 Regional Growth Fund grant was awarded for expansion of the Company’s Scunthorpe site, employee numbers at the Bradbury Group have risen by 73%. As holders of the North Lincolnshire Business Growth Award, the Bradbury Group was recently shortlisted for the Insider 100 Made In Yorkshire Awards and has been credited by the London Stock Exchange as one of the ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain.’ Company Chairman and founder Tim Strawson explains, “Our business strength lies in engineering and manufacturing. We identify an opportunity in the market, then engineer and produce a product that is better, cheaper and delivered more quickly than the competition.”
Far from resting on his laurels Mr Strawson, together with Bradbury CEO Jim Connell, has embarked on an ambitious 3 year plan to double Group turnover from £12.5 million to £25 million, and is on course to achieve the first year target of £15.5 million. Recent successes include a large export order to Florida datacentre giant Digital Reality Trust, steel doors for St Pancras Station, a range of security walling, caging and door products for O2 Telefonica, plus new clients including McDonalds, Ryvita and Wickes.
As a company with a requirement for engineers, Tim has established the Bradbury Engineering Academy. In conjunction with North Lindsey College, this is an exciting initiative to encourage young people into the engineering profession. After a high number of applications, six apprentices have been selected and commenced a three year programme. Starting with a broad based introduction to engineering the Apprentices then specialise in one of 3 career paths: Design and CAD Engineer, CAD Technician and Tooling Technician. The Academy combines workplace experience with classroom study, leading to an NVQ Level 3 in Engineering.
Tim Strawson has also found time to realise a longstanding ambition to provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people in Scunthorpe. In May of this year he launched Youth Engineering Scunthorpe (YES) – a charitable enterprise in which 12 young people are employed supported by experienced engineers. The business manufactures laser cut metal components, offering a fast and flexible service with the added bonus of helping young people to gain the work experience necessary to enter the job market. Once ready, YES trainees are supported in seeking employment elsewhere, creating opportunities for new recruits to join the scheme.
YES Managing Director, Joe Mansley, is keen to talk to any manufacturer requiring metal components. “We have an impressive record on delivery and are looking to expand our customer base. The concept of helping young people locally really has an appeal particularly when coupled with the uncertainty of sourcing product from overseas. Being a not-for-profit business means we do not necessarily have the same financial constraints as other businesses. I urge manufactures from the Grimsby and Scunthorpe area to get in touch.”
