Houghton International continues expansion with new apprentices, additional staff, more machines and increased floor space
Michael Mitten, CEO, alongside new starters. (L-R) Aaron Celino Apprentice, Sean Kane HVC Operative, Jordan Stone Apprentice, Barry Davison Rail Labourer, Joseph Buglass Apprentice, Joel Stewart HVC Operative, Michael Younger Apprentice, James Boynton Apprentice, Jake Punton HVC Operative, Christine Youngs HVC Operative, Jake Taylor EMS FitterIn recent months, the company has taken on six new apprentices and six multi skilled employees – taking its head count to 115, an increase of 15% in less than a year. Additionally, it has also invested over £395,000 in new equipment and delivery vehicles to reduce lead times and doubled the footprint of its large machine repair facility to accommodate the increase in work.
Michael Mitten, CEO of Houghton International, commented: “As a multi skilled engineering company, with over 30 years’ experience in electro mechanical engineering we have been building the business and laying the foundations to move towards servicing larger machines. Having recently successfully undertaken our largest overhaul to date, in the power generation sector, we are continuing that journey by investing in the resources required to service this end of the market.
“Investment in a second, larger capacity, coil press means that we can manufacture the coils required for larger rewind projects more efficiently in house, making us more responsive to our customer needs. Our new energy efficient burn off oven enables us to work on larger machines in house, offering a higher quality service and makes us one of only a few companies in the UK who can handle this type of requirements.
“Of course, we also need more staff to help us service this demand. Our apprenticeship programme is a key part of our growth strategy, allowing us to build a highly skilled and experienced workforce both now and in the future. Our six new apprentices will attend college for the first 10 months of their employment and then join us next July to begin the practical element of their training. In the meantime, we have retained three apprentices who will complete their apprenticeships this year and have taken on a further six new employees to supplement our existing workforce.
“This is an exciting time for Houghton International and I am confident that work we are doing now will help our business to continue to thrive as we move forward into the next phase of our growth strategy.”