Smith Brothers & Webb (
www.sbw-wash.com) — the Alcester-based manufacturer of the Britannia brand of automated washing machines for trains, trams and buses, plus commercial and public-service vehicles — is to expand its workforce. It is looking to recruit more engineers to join its installation, repair and maintenance teams and is also set to launch a new apprenticeship scheme.
The company is enjoying a growing order book in the UK from bus operators and commercial-fleet operators, as well as buoyant sales abroad, especially from the Far East, Middle East, India and Australia.
Director Andy Barracliffe said: “Orders have been so good over the past couple of years that we are able to further expand our team and recruit more service engineers. We see plenty of opportunities for further expansion; and in order to secure a pool of suitable skills for the years ahead, we are launching an apprenticeship scheme that will open up rewarding careers in engineering to young people.
"We want to ‘grow’ local talent to protect and preserve the proud culture of innovation and engineering excellence in the Midlands, which Smith Brothers & Webb has been contributing to for the past 70 years.”
The apprentices will be based at the company’s HQ, where all of its Britannia-brand washing systems are both designed and manufactured. The apprenticeships will last for up to four years and will lead to a nationally recognised engineering qualification. The company is looking for young people with maths, english and science GCSEs plus “a good work ethic and a positive attitude”. For further information about the vacancies, visit the Web site (
www.sbw-wash.com).