Express & Star

Skan integrates two Wolverhampton firms

Skan Group Holdings, the private family owned group which owns both Boughton Engineering and Oldbury UK, is to integrate the two Wolverhampton businesses, whilst retaining the identities and values of both ‘iconic' brands.

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Richard Skan, group managing director, left, with group sales and marketing director Steve Price.

Group managing director Richard Skan said: “In Boughton and Oldbury, we have two of the most respected, indeed iconic and valued brands in the niche engineering market sectors they serve.

"We will keep and develop the clearly defined identities of both of these. However, from a commercial, operational and administrative point of view, it makes compelling business sense to integrate the two entities. They are co-located, they share management, workforce, skills and facilities – as well as ethos, commitment and vision.

“Now is also the right time to do this, as we concurrently roll out our major investment in our new advanced ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software system, which will fully integrate all management and business processes including sales, engineering, purchasing, finance and administration, manufacturing and production – and even parts and service. This is about shaping our company for the long term and taking it to the next level.

“Bringing together our two engineering businesses consolidates a shared pedigree and track record of over 250 years of British engineering excellence – and making it fit for the next generation. That should send a very strong message, not least to our customers and suppliers, that we have a clear commitment and vision for the future of both brands, now united within one core business."

In structural terms, Boughton Engineering, a market leader in vehicle mounted waste handling equipment, will become the principal business name.

Oldbury UK will be retained as an operating division, to drive the Shirley-headquartwered group’s established bespoke and specialist engineering activities and international defence sector work. To the outside world, including the businesses’ shared supply chains, there will be little change beyond combined purchasing, accounts and administration.

Boughton Engineering incorporates the former Reynolds Boughton businesses, previously often known collectively as the Boughton Group.

The company, which specialises in the design and manufacture of wastes handling equipment, moved from Barton-under-Nedwood in Staffordshire to Wolverhampton.

It is a market leader in hook loaders, skip loaders and automatic sheeting systems, under the brand names Kwikcova and Intacova

Oldbury UK, which relocated from Wednesbury to Wolverhampton in 2006, provides standard and bespoke mobility and engineered solutions for a wide range of sectors and industries worldwide.

It was originally founded in 1861 by Isaiah Oldbury, supplying axles, suspensions and components for horse drawn carriages and carts. The company was acquired by Skan Group Holdings in 2000

The firms are based at Balliol Business Park, Wobaston Road.