Powys-based environmental test chamber manufacturer transitions into Employee Ownership
HEALTH & SAFETY AMBITIOUS GROWTH PLANS
JTS TEST CHAMBERS
Powys-based environmental test chamber manufacturer transitions into Employee Ownership
James Technical Services ( JTS ), one of the UK ’ s few remaining manufacturers of environmental test chambers , has transitioned into Employee Ownership ( EO ) via an employee ownership trust ( EOT ) nearly 30 years since it was founded .
Established in Talgarth near Brecon by Glen and Sue James in 1995 , the business started with engineer and designer Glen refurbishing second hand chambers , and Sue looking after company finances and business development .
Founders of JTS Test Chambers with their team
Three decades on , JTS employs 10 people from its purpose-built factory and makes test chambers that can re-produce the harshest of environmental conditions , temperatures , humidity and vibration serving industries including aerospace , automotive , pharma and many more .
Glen and Sue have been looking to retire , however , and thought they had explored all options before resigning themselves to closing down their successful business – until they came across the employee ownership model .
Now , twelve months on from starting the process of closing JTS , they have taken on a new Managing Director , David Hunter , and have ambitious growth plans to double their turnover in three years ’ time , having fully transitioned into an employee-owned business instead .
Glen said : “ JTS is a successful business providing much needed jobs and skills in Mid Wales , but Sue and I had come to the point where we wanted to retire . We explored a trade sale , but we knew that we ’ d run the risk of the factory function being moved to another area .
“ We thought our only other option was to close the business , which was a last resort as it is doing really well , but as we were winding down the business , we heard about the EOT model and realised it was perfect for us .
“ So , we contacted Cwmpas who talked us through the process and set about making the arrangements for the EOT . We quickly realised that we ’ d need someone to drive the business forward under this model and so David Hunter joined the team as our new Managing Director .”
Glen added : “ Sue and I will remain at the business on a part-time basis during the transition period , but we are so pleased that David has hit the ground running with some ambitious growth plans , and that the rest of the team has welcomed the EOT . It is the perfect solution for us , and the future of the business .”
Managing Director , David Hunter , added : “ The fact JTS was transitioning into an employee-owned business was a big attraction for me . Having worked a lot of my life as a small cog in major automotive companies , to know that as employees we all have a vested interest in the performance of the business was a real boon .”
“ I ’ m also pleased to welcome Richard Lewis back into the JTS team as our Sales Director . Rich has a wealth of experience in this industry and is looking forward to working with old and new contacts to push JTS to be the biggest and best manufacturer of environmental test chambers in the UK .
For further information or to discuss a project please contact Rich on 07535 426129 or richard @ jts-testchambers . co . uk
For further information , please visit www . jts-test-chambers . co . uk
62 PECM Issue 69