Member Article

Bradford manufacturer celebrates 70th anniversary reaching £6.8 million turnover

Bradford-based manufacturer Victor Manufacturing has reached its 70th anniversary with a £6.8 million turnover, now employing 95 people.

The company that was created in the midst of the Second World War has achieved exceptional growth and is planning the next 70 years of success.

Firstly having been named by the London Stock Exchange (LSE) as one of the country’s fastest growing, from an audit of three million UK SMEs; manufacturing the first catering equipment product to be granted Carbon Trust approval and to be included on the ECA Energy Technology List; and most recently having been awarded Sustainable Catering Equipment Manufacturer Award at the prestigious Footprint Awards that celebrate environmental practices in business.

Founded in 1944 as a sheet metal working company, Victor Manufacturing was acquired by Michael & Joyce Mountain in 1953 and quickly moved into manufacturing commercial catering equipment for hospitals and schools.

Continual development and innovation has promoted steady growth over the past sixty years, leading Victor into different market sectors.

Due to exceptional growth of 37% from 2009 to 2013, the company has needed to increase staff numbers by 10% in order to meet demand.

This recruitment has included nurturing new talent, as the British manufacturer continues to recruit a team of apprentices to work across the breadth of the company.

Mick Shaddock, managing director of Victor Manufacturing said: “It’s been tough for British manufactures – across all sectors – to continue to flourish and thrive in this difficult economic climate.

“I can only account our success to the fact that we are providing high quality products that our customers want to buy. Keeping our designers, engineers and manufacturing all together in the UK, means we can stay close to our market and react quickly to their needs.

“Our major focus over the past five years has been on producing equipment that is energy efficient, whilst still maintaining high standards. Energy is expensive and the costs are set to continue to rise over the coming years and this is one way in which we can help our customers control expenditure and reduce their energy bills.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff who has made the past 70 years successful. Without the hard work, dedication and continued enthusiasm of our skilled team, we would not be enjoying our current successes.”

The company celebrated its 70th year in anniversary by inviting the entire workforce to Doncaster Races, in an all-expenses paid hospitality suite.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .