More Engineers required for thriving Gloucester business
Helipebs Controls Ltd is an engineering company specializing in the design and manufacture of hydraulic cylinders and solutions for critical applications in a number of key industries including offshore oil and gas, pharmaceutical, fatigue testing of aircraft and Formula 1 components and the leisure industry. Helipebs Controls sister company was founded in the 1920's, and Helipebs Controls itself has been established for over 40 years and is based in Longlevens, Gloucester employing over 60 people.
Managing Director, Geoff Davis said "Throughout the recession the company was successful in maintaining its sales level and people employed. During this time the company embarked on a capital enhancement programme to replace a number of machines to improve our capabilities and efficiency. We also conducted a strategic review of our selling strategy to encourage growth. Helipebs has also looked to expand its export business, mainly into the Middle and Far East markets, which have gone from strength to strength in recent years and, at the end of 2012, we exhibited at the major Oil & Gas exhibition in Singapore (OSEA 2012) as well as OE 2013 in September 2013 in Aberdeen.
The combined efforts of all the hard work over the last couple of years will see the current year of 2013/2014 show an increase in turnover in excess of 25%. We have had to increase our infrastructure to support this growth.
During this time our greatest challenge has been recruitment of skilled staff and retaining of apprentices. Skilled engineers are in short supply due to lack of training in the 1980's/1990's and people getting out of engineering during that time as they felt that manufacturing industry was in decline. Helipebs has taken on an apprentice every year to increase our skill base and to give a more even age range of employees. This year for the first time we have had problems with apprentices leaving for non-work related issues, as social issues become more important than long term careers".
Helipebs has been a local employer for over 90 years and is looking positively to the future.
Courtesy of Cotswold Life magazine printed Autumn/Winter 2013