Edmar Engineering has used its expertise in small quantity machining, one-offs, prototypes and jigs and fixtures to complete work for clients across the automotive, aerospace, food, pharma and utilities sectors as it reached nearly £1 million turnover in the last financial year. Recent growth has been partly driven by a series of production line builds for a major confectionary business, testimony to the company’s ability to work with clients from initial design through to production and supply.

Strategically supported by the Business Growth Service, the firm has also redeveloped the first floor of its factory with the purchase and installation of new equipment. This, combined with the recruitment of three apprentices and improvers, provides Edmar Engineering with a perfect platform to make the most of its anniversary year.

“My great-grandfather Bill Marklew was commandeered by the Ministry of Defence at the start of the war to help enlist toolmakers and engineers to aid the war effort,” explained Anna Hayton, who will be the fourth generation family member to run the company when she takes over from her mother Sue Taylor as managing director next year.

“When the war ended, he decided to start a business with colleague Mr Edwards, no doubt using contacts he built up during those difficult years.”

She went on to add: “We originally started life in a rented Nissan army hut and two storey-building, providing specialist engineering services to a host of industries. This diversity is still the case today and one of the main reasons we’ve been able to overcome seventy years of peaks and troughs.”

Edmar Engineering, which employs 16 people at its Aston factory, has been significantly supported by the Business Growth Service’s manufacturing experts, who have worked with the management team on a host of best practice process improvements and in planning long-term strategy.

The Government-backed organisation has played a prominent role in signposting the company to funding opportunities that have been crucial in facilitating the recent £200,000 investment drive.

Business Growth Manager Jas Bahra added his support: “This is a fantastic tale of a small engineering business evolving over the years to become an important partner to clients in numerous industries. Edmar is a true family-run business and a lot of these values are evident in the way it looks after its staff, the quality levels it strives for and the way it has grown steadily.”

He continued: “We have worked with the company for some time now, listening to its requirements and then delivering external advice and access to specialist programmes, such as Great 200 Leaders. Here’s to the next seventy years!”