Engineering solutions firm toasts landmark anniversary

Bennett Engineering has been reflecting on 25 years in business following its move to Derby.

John Bennett founded the business in 1999 as a sole trader, offering his skill set to a range of business in the East Midlands who needed a time served and highly competent project engineer.

Over the years he adapted his offering and came up with the business title ‘Bennett Engineering Design Solutions Limited’, which offers virtual design engineering services.

Craig Harbron then joined the business in 2012 as a qualified mechanical design engineer, enabling the firm to provide an outsourced department structure to OEMs and manufacturers across the country.

In April 2024 John sold his majority stake to Seleena Creedon and Craig.

He said: “It was time to hand the reins over to the next generation and it was with immense pride that I could do this with two people who I know are competent, capable and want to continue to grow the business.

“Both Craig and Seleena have a real drive to deliver the absolute best in engineering, business and people related things.

“Craig is the most competent design engineers I have ever worked with while Seleena is one of the best people handlers I have come across. Their strength together is immense, and I am excited to see what they will achieve.”

Bennett Engineering had operated from its technical centre in Loughborough for many years until its move to an industrial unit in Parcel Terrace, Derby, earlier this year.

The move has allowed the firm to extend its service offering. While it has always offered a managed manufacturing service, the business is looking to offer manufacturing on a one-off basis for bespoke designs.

Seleena said: “One of the things I say is that Unit 5 is the place to come to if you need solutions; I have spoken to businesses who simply can’t ‘buy off the shelf’ machinery or equipment to solve their very real challenges in processing and manufacturing.

“I have also spoken to businesses with aging staff and those needing to restructure who need the support of experienced engineers that my colleagues are and the industrial workshop space to complete the assembly and build of their products.

“It’s brilliant to have the space to offer them at Unit 5 and the knowledge to help them. I am a big believer in the more we collaborate the more successful we will be as SMEs.”