Established in 1972, County Durham-based Stephenson Gobin is celebrating its 50th year in business as it continues to go from strength to strength, expanding its workforce, designing innovative products and diversifying into new sectors. Acquired by the British Engines Group in 2000, the company manufactures electromagnetic products for its Geofire and SG Transmission brands.

Originally established as an electrical brake and clutch manufacturer in the North East of England, near Bishop Auckland, the company has evolved into a leading specialist electromagnetic clutch and brake manufacturer and its products are exported around the world.

Keith Thompson, production scheduler at Stephenson Gobin, and the company’s longest-serving employee, said: “The business has changed massively since I started 39 years ago. We were originally a team of 10 with two centre lathes and only one CNC lathe.

“Over the years, I have seen the company continually improve standards of manufacturing to supply some of the world’s leading automation projects. We receive new enquiries from global equipment manufacturers every day.”

In 2013, the company moved to a purpose-built manufacturing facility in County Durham, to meet the existing and future capacity demands of the business and ensure the capability for small or large volume orders.

Andy Collinson, CEO, Stephenson Gobin said: “It is the people, our processes and the continuous innovation that make this company, and we are delighted to be marking half a century of engineering expertise. We have a wealth of experience and product knowledge coupled with investments in our in-house manufacturing facility and workforce to execute our progression. I am confident that with the support of our management team and the British Engines Group, we will continue to flourish.”