Clansman Dynamics, a global leader in the design and manufacture of robotic handling equipment has revealed that its turnover has soared by more than 60 percent - from £7 million to £11 million – in the two years since the company became employee-owned.
Founded by Dick Philbrick and two colleagues in 1994 and based in East Kilbride, Clansman produces highly sophisticated material handling solutions for forges, foundries, aluminium smelters, waste processing and manufacturing. The company currently employs 38 staff – an increase of 5 since the employee buyout - and is recruiting for additional mechanical engineers.
Clansman is differentiated from its competitors by maintaining a full design team, both to support existing customers with product developments and to maintain the flow of new products. Highly motivated engineers do ‘whatever it takes,’ to get these new machines to work and on time. Employee ownership keeps the teams focused on these difficult tasks.
The business became employee-owned in late December 2009, realising a long-term ambition by Mr Philbrick to ensure the company had a sustainable and long term future under employee-ownership and in Scotland.
Co-operative Development Scotland and Baxi Partnership subsequently helped create a funding package to buy the business, including a tax-efficient employee benefits trust, and advised on the transition to employee ownership. Scottish Enterprise has also been working intensively with Clansman Dynamics, offering a tailored and integrated package of business support to help the company achieve its growth ambitions.
Dick Philbrick, who remains as Chairman, believes that the outstanding performance of the company illustrates that employee ownership offers a better way of organising a business: "The business has really blossomed, and the employees have taken the company well beyond the growth ambitions forecast when we completed the deal. Productivity, profitability and innovation have all prospered, but importantly, the employees have prospered and that is the key reason for the success of the business. Employee ownership can be the defining factor in driving growth and securing the future of a company that is facing a succession issue. I hope many more business owners will be encouraged by our example to explore this business model."
Read the full press release on our media centre
International Year of Co-operatives 2012
Clansman Dynamics will share the story behind its success since the company became employee-owned, and its strategy for further expansion at a special event to celebrate the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) on 23 February.
More about IYC 2012 on the CDS website