The paths of Helen Anderson and Annette Doyle (pictured right and left respectively) first crossed when their respective companies — Paranoid Engineering and Trumpf Ltd — worked together on a manufacturing solution, but the two soon realised they had more in common than a passion for engineering excellence; their shared love of running forged a friendship that saw them complete the Stuttgart Half Marathon at the end of June.

The women met when Mrs Anderson was seeking sheet metal-working production equipment that would facilitate the next phase of Paranoid Engineering’s growth.

Based in Bidford-on-Avon, the company makes over-land vehicles (plus accessories) that are engineered for the most demanding of tasks, often in extremely hostile and remote environments.

Paranoid Engineering is a family business that has grown through the design-engineering skills of Will Anderson — the company’s director of research and development (and Mrs Anderson’s husband).

His innovations include a range of multi-role utility vehicles for emergency services, public-order work, mining and recreation — made by Atlas Industries.

Mrs Anderson is the commercial and financial ‘driver’ behind both Paranoid and Atlas, which have seen significant short-term growth thanks to a high level of investment in automated production.

She said: “Given the purpose of our products, mechanical failure is not an option. Everything we do has to be precise and well-engineered.

“We work to tight tolerances, and if we are not absolutely confident that a part is right, it doesn’t leave the factory.

“This is why Trumpf is such a good fit for us. Moreover, Ms Doyle recognised from the start that we wanted a complete package and went ‘the extra mile’, to not only prove that the Trumpf machines could do the job but also ensure that we had increased production capacity when we needed it.”

First machine

Paranoid’s first Trumpf order — in October 2017 — was for a TruBend 3000-series press brake.

However, high demand for Paranoid products meant there was a need to bridge the gap in production capacity before the press brake was installed, so Trumpf loaned the company one of its showroom models.

Paranoid’s own machine was delivered in February this year; and soon after it had been installed, the company ordered a Trumpf TruLaser 3030 Fiber.

Both machines now undertake the cutting and forming of the metalwork for all Paranoid’s products — from chassis to roof racks and trailers, and all metal parts in between.

“Most parts are either one-offs or produced in small batches, so the production flexibility and easy set-up provided by the Trumpf machines are crucial for us.

“They have become fundamental to what Paranoid does and what it wants to achieve; without them, we could not have taken on many of the projects in which the company is now involved.”

The high level of interaction between Paranoid and Trumpf, especially during the initial stages of production expansion, meant that there was a lot of contact between Mrs Anderson and Ms Doyle; they also discovered that they had much in common, including both being at the helm of successful businesses and both having young families (since this article was written, Ms Doyle is continuing her career with Trumpf Inc in Connecticut; Lee Moakes is now managing director of Trumpf Ltd).

Mrs Anderson said: “We both have to do a lot of juggling to be the best we can in both our business and private lives; and having discussed that we would like to do something purely for ourselves, Annette invited me to join her for the Stuttgart Half Marathon.

“We had limited time to train together, but the aim was just to enjoy the experience.”

She also says that running is about mental fitness as well as physical fitness, and if she has a complex problem to solve, the best move is to get her trainers on.

“It gives me time and space to think things through. I am acutely aware that allocating ‘me’ time is something that many business women find a challenge when trying to balance work and home life.

“Women bring unique qualities to business management but have to be prepared to make sacrifices at home. I would love to employ more women at Paranoid, because they bring a different outlook and dimension that can be extremely valuable.

“I am hoping that our involvement with the Santander Corporate Mentoring Scheme will encourage more female applicants.”