New directors help drive growth at Jenks & Cattell Engineering

Jenks & Cattell Engineering already exports around 40 per cent of what it makes but is aiming to win a sizeable slice of work in Germany, particularly from the country's major motor manufacturers.

Jenks & Cattell already supplies automotive companies all over Europe, including West Midlands luxury brand Jaguar Land Rover, winning work with its combination of quality and flexibility.

Two men at the centre of those efforts, with nearly four decades of experience under their collective belts, have just been appointed as directors of the company.

Craig Jeavons and Nick George both started their working lives on the factory floor. Nick began as a production engineer in 1997 while Craig started as an assistant quality manager in 1993.

Over the years the duo have learned the ins and outs of engineering industry - particularly the automotive sector - and Craig is now the company's quality director, while Nick becomes the director in charge of sales.

Craig Jeavons said: "Both Nick and I would like to thank all of the Jenks & Cattell team for the support over the years, and although there won't be much change to our working day, we are overwhelmed with the recognition."

"We have both developed a strong passion and enthusiasm to strive towards the success and future of Jenks & Cattell – which is very exciting at the moments as we have various plans for growth and change, adapting with one of the current most successful industries in the UK, particularly the Midlands."

Based at its 86,000 sq ft manufacturing centre on Neachells Lane, in Wednesfield, since the company was founded back in 1886, Jenks & Cattell can claim to be one of the oldest presswork and assembly businesses in the country.

It currently employs 76 people handling work from traditional engineering and assembly to the latest laser fabrication techniques.

Around three quarters of what it makes is for the automotive industry, but it also wins work in the white goods sector - fridges, freezers, washing machines - and in the fast growing field of wind farm technology.

As well as customers in Europe, including Eastern Europe, it supplies companies more locally in the Midlands.

But exports are a key focus for the company in the next few years, said spokeswoman Eleanor Russon.

"We are aiming to make Germany one of our biggest markets as we go forward," she said. "We have just come back from the major industrial trade show in Hanover and we will almost certainly be aiming to exhibit there next year. There is a growing demand from companies in Germany for high quality British engineering, and we want to win a big share of that market.

"We have ambitious plans to grow, and are hoping to double our turnover to around £12 million over the next five years."

Jenks & Cattell Engineering is part of the Newship Group, a private family owned group of companies. Newship Group has sales in excess of £140 million per annum and operates in the engineering, packaging, construction and hire markets across Europe.