Industry News Putting employees at the heart of the business


A SCOTTISH MANUFACTURER of valves and pressure gauges has become employee owned, safeguarding the com- pany’s annual turnover of £8m and pre- serving 150 jobs. For Stewart-Buchanan Group, the tran- sition to employee ownership has been guided and supported by Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS). CDS pro- vided funding for a feasibility study and the implementation of the new ownership structures. The Baxi Partnership provided specialist project management, while Wright Johnston MacKenzie provided


said: “The deal means the retention of a successful business in its local commu- nity. It is a great example of how employ- ee ownership can sustain good business- es in Scotland and provide them with a platform for further growth.”


legal advice. The deal, which is for an undisclosed sum, involved the creation of an Employee Benefit Trust, which acquired the shares from the previous owner, Frank Phair, upon his retirement. Sarah Deas, chief executive at CDS,


The news follows the announcement earlier in the year that Clansman Dynamics, a designer and manufacturer of robotic-handling equipment, has increased turnover by more than 60% - from £7m to £11m - since the company became employee-owned. www.cdscotland.co.uk


Rewarding export LMK THERMOSAFE HAS won a


Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2012. The company manufactures indus- trial drum and container heaters for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, and now exports the majority of production from its Haverhill headquarters to over 60 countries, with export earn- ings having increased by 85% over three years.


The heaters are used in manu- facturing operations ranging from melting of ingredients for waxes, resins and paints, toothpastes, cosmetic gels and creams, auto- motive oil blending facilities and Middle Eastern desert crude oil extraction systems through to processing of honey, syrups and vegetable oils for cereal bars, yoghurts and sauces in the food industry.


Managing director Mark Newton commented: “This Award recognises many years of hard work by our talented and dedi- cated staff. Any export business is hard won, and our continuing growth in every continent is par- ticularly due to the efficient and high quality technical support given to our overseas customers and marketing partners. In most countries there are strong local competitors, so although a small business, we succeed by offering a better total package of customer service, support and product availability. We have responded to international market needs and developed new products that meet the technical standards and certifications required for those markets. As an SME, it is particu- larly pleasing to have been con- tributing in a small way to the resurgence of UK manufacturing exports, and to be safeguarding employment for our staff even in tough economic times.” www.drumheating.co.uk


Events...


Resource Efficiency & Waste Management Solutions (RWM) - 11th -13th September 2012, NEC, Birmingham www.rwmexhibition.com


Sensing Technology - 25th - 26th September 2012, NEC Birmingham www.sensingtechnology.co.uk


Check out our comprehensive Event Diary at: www.connectingindustry.com


Enter 3 Process & Control JULY 2012 5


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