A record order book and unparalleled demand for its in-house design services has resulted in Brown & Holmes taking on two graduates as trainee design engineers.  Despite the uncertain economic climate, the company’s bespoke manufacturing services are proving more popular than ever so the decision was made to increase the in-house design team to six people.  Robert McGlade, a graduate of DeMontfort University and Robert Cockcroft, a graduate from the University of Birmimgham, were both recruited to the team at the end of August. 

Brown & Holmes operates as a sub-contractor for the three main machine tool builders in the UK, as well as supplying directly to a large number of local, national and international customers.  It offers a complete service encompassing design, manufacture and assembly, through to testing and inspection, tooling support and installation.  The company is also the sole UK agent for FORKARDT workholding range of standard and special rotary power chucks, expanding mandrels and steady rest packages. 

Brown & Holmes has also always been committed to offering apprenticeships and, in fact, Carl Baker and Kevin Ward, joint Directors of Brown & Holmes (Tamworth) Ltd, both started as apprentices with the company back in the 1970's.

Kevin Ward, said: “We have always believed in developing talent in-house throughout the business.  When it came to recruiting new design engineers, so much of what we do is very specialist that it made sense to take on graduates and train them up in the skills we need.  We are pleased to be in a position to be able to invest in our future ability to design and manufacture.”