A Black Country engineering star has been named as one of the most influential industry professionals in the UK. Steve Clarke, who has been running Bloxwich-based
Teepee Electrical for almost 20 years, was named in
The Manufacturer’s Top 100 earlier this week, a national award that is designed to showcase the innovators, leaders, and rising stars in the sector.
The former engineering apprentice received the accolade last night in front of 200 people at the NEC, Birmingham, with judges praising the way he has led the cable harness, wiring looms and panel assemblies specialist to £3 million in sales and its expansion with a second production facility in Aldridge.
Under Mr Clarke’s leadership, the company has diversified from supplying niche complex projects to offering medium and high-volume supply, also delivering cable assemblies to Tier Two automotive companies in the UK and also direct to OEMs for the first time. This has bolstered existing business with the rail sector, electric vehicles, coach and bus and vehicle converters, such as ambulances, police cars and fire engines.
Mr Clark, who took over the running of Teepee Electrical from his father in 2004, said: “I’m very flattered to be named as one of the Top 100 manufacturing professionals in the UK, especially considering the amazing talent and business leaders that were present. This award is all about my amazing team. You are only as good as the people in your business, and we have some of the very best and this is helping us grow and take advantage of new opportunities in the automotive and electrification sectors.”
He continued: “We are also very passionate about the expertise we have in Black Country manufacturing and I’m planning to use this title and the profile to showcase the region’s industrial capabilities.”
Mr Clarke’s management style is very much leading by example, and this has created a strong culture of teamwork within its 52-strong workforce, many of whom have been with the business for 20 years.
In fact, one of its eldest members of staff is Vic Sutton, a 90-year-old expert calibration engineer who loves Teepee Electrical so much, he is still doing three days per week on the shopfloor (featured recently on Machinery’s website
here.
As well as investment in technology, the company is also committed to supporting staff with personal development opportunities and special ‘Thank Yous’, none more evident than when everyone of its 20-strong female workforce received flowers on
International Women’s Day and the introduction of
TPCT – Teepee Chippie Thursday for the whole team.