Ellon Engineering Firm Forges Ahead

Company boss hails great strides made since it was founded in April.

A North-East manufacturer is celebrating what it describes as a “highly successful first six months in business”.

Ellon-based LFH Engineering has already achieved advances in the short time since its launch in April, including increased staff numbers, the start of 24-hour operations and a six-figure investment in increasing production capabilities.

The company, which specialises in the manufacture of marine diesel engine coolant pumps, was set up by local businessman Les Hill following his purchase of the pump manufacturing division of Peterhead-based Terex Powertrain.

Substantial investment has been key to LFH’s success. More than £400,000 has been spent on new manufacturing machinery and inspection equipment, as well as IT infrastructure, to enhance production capabilities.

Staffing levels have also increased, with 13 new employees having joined the company – adding to the 19 staff who transferred from Terex – taking the current LFH team to 32.

This figure is set to grow further as the company is actively seeking to increase the capacity of its design and engineering department.

The increase in headcount has enabled LFH to establish a fully-manned night shift, and productivity and demand has risen to such a level that it is already considering extending its current premises.

Managing director Mr Hill said: “It is particularly pleasing that our hard work and investment – both financially and in terms of time and effort – is being reflected in our sales, which have exceeded original projections.

“Our initial first-year projected sales figure was around £2.5million, but given the fantastic start we have had to operations during the past six months I am confident that we are on track to not only meet this target but to surpass it.”