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How vehicle manufacturer Econ Engineering continues to evolve
When Manufacturing Today last visited the operations of family business Econ Engineering , we spoke to Managing Director Jonathan Lupton , who revealed how the UK ’ s leading manufacturer of gritters , de-icers , snow ploughs , and highway maintenance vehicles has achieved five decades of successful operation .
Catching up again with Jonathan and new Operations Director Gareth Legg , we learn more about the past ten months at Econ . Sadly , the sudden loss of Jonathan ’ s brother , Andrew , in January 2022 , who held the Sales Director position , identified the need for additional senior support at the top level .
Given the close family feel and culture at Econ , finding the right person was essential , and here ’ s where the hand of fate stepped in – while Jonathan was in discussions with Crossroads Truck and Bus , the local Volvo franchise , regarding the chassis of a new Econ electric truck , he met Gareth .
“ I officially joined Econ in August 2023 , but I had been working before this with Jonathan in my capacity as MD of Crossroads . Having done some site visits in 2020 , I even made an off the cuff comment to my family that I felt I could work at Econ – I was drawn to the family culture and ethos , and the smell of the machine shop reminded me of my metalwork lessons at school !”
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