Econ Engineering

Last updated

Econ Engineering
Type Limited company
IndustryCommercial vehicle body builders
Founded1959, Otley, West Yorkshire
Headquarters Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK
ProductsSalt spreaders, Road Menders, Tippers, Unibodies, Hotboxes
Number of employees
200+
Website www.econ.uk.com

Econ Engineering Limited is the UK's largest manufacturer of winter and road maintenance vehicle bodies, founded as a supplier of agricultural equipment under the name of Agriquipment Ltd on 9 December 1959 by W. George Lupton in Otley, West Yorkshire. [1] As of December 2021, they produce more than 85 percent of the UK's winter service vehicles, leasing them to councils and highway authorities. [2]

Contents

The first Econ prototype salt spreader was finished in 1970 and the machines were launched at the 1972 IWM exhibition in Torquay. [3] The name Econ comes from a Bradford-based company who manufactured industrial heating units called “Econoheat” bought by WG Lupton to balance production whilst developing the salt spreaders.

Econ Engineering manufacture all of their machinery at a custom-built site on the outskirts of Ripon, North Yorkshire, constructed in 1980. [4] In January 2022, Econ reported a turnover of over £40m, boosted by continued investment in the business including satellite facilities in Alloa, Scotland and Cardiff, Wales. [5] This was followed by the opening of a new service site in Sowerby, Thirsk in April 2022. Equipped with 24 service bays, the site cost £7m, with Highways Magazine calling it 'a tour de force of productive investment'. [6] Sustainability was a priority at the site, which has 114 solar panels, LED motion-sensored lighting and a water recycling system. [7]

History

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References

  1. 1 2 The Independent 13 November 1996 The Independent - True Grit Article
  2. Gritter driver shortages tackled with advanced tech – 'pride in British engineering Express. 4 December 2021.
  3. "Econ shows true grit this winter". Yorkshire Post. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  4. "Yorkshire Manufacturer Recognises Talent During National Apprenticeship Week" Yorkshire Post. 9 February 2022.
  5. "TURNOVER TOPS £40M AT GRITTER MANUFACTURER" Insider Media. 10 January 2022.
  6. Econ on the move in Sowerby Highways Magazine. 6 May 2022
  7. Econ Engineering installs 114 solar panels to roof of new £7m building Yorkshire Post. 5 January 2022
  8. "Econ's investment to maintain high quality" . Harrogate Advertiser. 10 December 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2019 via Newsbank.

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