TEAM: Pictured from left are Neil Cooke, area sales executive; Shanene Cadwallader, internal sales support; Shirley Simpson, export manager; and Marc Dale, sales director SKILLED: Jonathan Parkinson, foreman pump engineer BASE: The company’s previous premises, at Boathouse Lane, in Stockton, in the 1970s BOSS: CJB Keville, ex-chairman and father of present managing director, Tony Keville Award-winning excellence driven by staff WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015 32 The Northern Echo LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thenorthernecho Jobs&Business NEWS FEATURE 33 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015 The Northern Echo Jobs&Business NEWS FEATURE FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @northernecho Pump firm Tomlinson Hall is continuing to win plaudits around the world. Laura Facey finds out the reasons behind its success C OLIN SIMPSON has several reasons to celebrate. As business de- velopment direc- tor of pump distributor and manufacturer Tomlinson Hall he has overseen the company in Billingham, near Stockton, during a period in which it has been honoured with industry awards and accolades. But the lifelong Middles- brough FC supporter is also enjoying his team’s exploits on the pitch. The corridors of the 27-peo- ple strong business are deco- rated with signed Boro shirts. Behind the walls of this un- assuming building, on Cowpen Lane Industrial Estate, is a company that supplies a vast range of pumps from leading global brands and makes Liq- uivac, its own innovative liq- uid ring vacuum pump, as well as offering servicing, repairs and engineering supplies. Soon to be celebrating its cen- tenary year, the reins of this business are now in the hands of Tony Keville, the third gen- eration running the business. He took over from his father, CJB Keville, who succeeded his father-in-law, Alf Tomlin- son, who founded the general engineering supplies firm with Frank Hall in 1919. A graduate of Sheffield Uni- versity, a chartered engineer, a member of the Institute of Engineering Technology and chairman of the UK Pump Dis- tributors Association, Tony was part of the team which first discovered the hole in the ozone layer and transferred his innovativeness and inge- nuity when he joined the fam- ily business in 1976. “Tony has continued his fam- ily’s legacy, integrating fam- ily ethics into this business to make it the success it contin- ues to be,” said Mr Simpson, who joined the firm in 1993. “Tony is one hundred per cent focused on our staff and they reward us with their loy- alty. When people join us they stay and we are very proud they choose to work with us.” Tomlinson Hall boasts a great deal of experience within its workforce, which enables the company to offer a total service, including pump selection and supply, problem solving, site surveys, service and repairs. After his father passed away in 1997, Tony continued as chairman with the support of his colleagues. “Tony is a problem solver, an inventor, who can look at a product and improve it in ways that other people wouldn’t even think of and that’s what makes our products sought af- ter around the globe,” said Mr Simpson. The Teesside business has gone from supplying major in- dustrial pump brands, includ- ing its own product Liquivac, to businesses in the North- East and across the UK, to Europe and now to the Middle- East, North America, South America and Asia. In fact, they are currently ex- porting to more than 100 coun- tries. But success has not come overnight and as director of business development, it is Mr Simpson’s job to continually look for new opportunities. “You’ve got to have a plan,” he said. “It’s no good sitting back and waiting for the op- portunity to come to you, you have got to go out there, meet people and show them that your product is the best one for the job.” Although they may not al- ways agree, the relationship between Tony and Colin is based on respect and Mr Simp- son is trusted with taking Tomlinson Hall’s products to a worldwide market. “We had a very strong repu- tation locally and we decided it was time to broaden our target area,” he explained. “One of our first major na- tional contracts was with Scot- tish and Newcastle Brewery, latterly Scottish Courage and now Heineken, which got our pump products in cities across the UK. “From there we had a ripple effect, building our client base, modernising our production and ordering service and push- ing our business forward.” Honesty, offering realistic expectations, integrity, a qual- ity product and the highest customer service is what this company has relied upon. “Late one Friday afternoon, we had a panicked phone call from one of our clients, a dis- tiller in Scotland. “They were planning a visit from the Queen the following Monday and had a disaster with a ‘noxious’ gas, which would’ve caused a great deal of unpleasantness for Her Maj- esty! “One of our team jumped on the first train heading north of the border to solve the prob- lem. “Years later, we are still in touch and laugh about the close shave.” Tomlinson Hall’s success also comes down to a broad customer base. They serve end users across a range of industry sectors, including the process industry, chemical processing, petro- chemicals, shipping, food and drink processing, land reme- diation and environmental management, water utilities, energy, leisure and desalina- tion. Their products are even aboard Roman Abramovich’s super yacht, the Eclipse. “We learnt the hard way not to put all our eggs in one bas- ket,” said Mr Simpson. “A few years ago our turno- ver dipped slightly, due the mothballing of the Corus Red- car steelworks, which had pre- viously been our number one customer for pumps and ancil- lary equipment. “We learnt to diversify, not to rely heavily on one company and we recovered. “Since then we’ve more than made up this shortfall with new customers and continued growth. “We’re grateful to have the opportunity to be able to work within sectors built on basic human needs. “People will always need to eat, drink and safely dispose of waste and while these in- dustries are in business, there will be a need for our pumps,” explained Colin. T OMLINSON Hall has won the Pump Distribu- tor of the Year Award in the British Pump Industry Awards four times, most re- cently in April 2014 and will be travelling to London later this month to compete on a nation- al stage for “Small Business of the Year” at the British Cham- ber Awards. It is an exciting time for the business as it begins to con- template its future and, poten- tially, the next hundred years. “We always try to plan at least five years in advance,” said Mr Simpson. “What products will we push? What industry or coun- try will we explore? What will our staffing requirements be? “There are skills in work- shop that we don’t want to lose when a hardworking employee chooses to retire. “Our pump engineer appren- tice, Josh Chambers, works alongside his mentor learning the trade, acquiring new skills and offering his own fresh ideas. “Tomlinson Hall is commit- ted to providing opportunities to young people and we believe that training the next genera- tion of engineers is important for both our industry and the North-East’s engineering and manufacturing base. “This is how we deal with any potential skill shortage. Colin Simpson People will always need to eat, drink and safely dispose of waste and while these industries are in business, there will be a need for our pumps “We predict where our gaps may be in the future and find a solution. “Our workshop manager, Michael O’Hare, started off as an apprentice, as did his col- league Jonathan Parkinson, who is now completing an HNC in engineering with our support. “It is imperative to invest in your people – they are the fu- ture of your business.” It is a strategy that seems to be working well so far with the company almost doubling its turnover since 2007. “Between 2013 and 2014 we saw a substantial increase in sales of 12.9 per cent. “This year we have increased a further 7.89 per cent and our goal is to increase total compa- ny sales to £5m by 2018,” said Mr Simpson. “A key objective for us is to build Liquivac into a globally distributed brand and we are aiming to secure additional global distribution partners. “Last year we visited the Middle-East to attract more end-users to the product, and we were extremely glad to find its capabilities are in high de- mand out there, in a range of sectors. “We’ve developed an ambi- tious export strategy and are re-branding the product, build- ing a new website and invest- ing in a strategic marketing campaign. We’re determined and believe in the quality of our product and people can see that when they meet us. “Over the next three years we also aim to strengthen Tomlin- son Hall’s position as a leading pump distributor both in the UK and in global markets, and will add further major pump brands to our distribution portfolio, complementing the existing products we offer.” As part of its growth strat- egy, the company has also recruited a sales support ad- CELEBRATION: Colin Simpson, business development director ministrative assistant and business administration ap- prentice, Molly Pickett. “It’s ambitious but we have an aspiring team of employees and if we all pull in the same direction we will do it,” said Mr Simpson. “If I were to offer any advice to other companies, it would be to invest in their staff, to help them reach their potential and to place your trust in them. “Nurture your working rela- tionships with customers and always be respectful, today’s apprentices could be managers of the future. “I admire other business peo- ple and try to learn from their successes. “It’s important to ask for help when you need it and take ad- vice from organisations like NECC and UKTI who are ready to help. “Stay one step ahead, plan for the future, offer a quality product and customers will come to you. And last of all, find a job, and a football club, you love.” J AMES RAMSBOTHAM, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, will be attending the national awards with Tom- linson Hall, in London. He said: “This company is an excellent example of how a tra- ditional, family business can diversify, modernise and react to ensure it is in a solid posi- tion for customers and employ- ees for years to come. They are a leading light in the North- East and will do the region proud on the national stage. “I look forward to accompa- nying our seven–strong con- tingent of NECC members shortlisted for national BCC awards and wish them all the very best of luck.” INVESTMENT: Josh Chambers, the company’s apprentice pump engineer EXPERTISE: Pump engineer Dan Hepplestone at work ROLE: Molly Pickett, business administration apprentice
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TEAM: Pictured from left are Neil Cooke, area sales executive; Shanene Cadwallader, internal sales support; Shirley Simpson, export manager; and Marc Dale, sales director
SKILLED: Jonathan Parkinson, foreman pump engineer
BASE: The company’s previous premises, at Boathouse Lane, in Stockton, in the 1970s
BOSS: CJB Keville, ex-chairman and father of present managing director, Tony Keville
Award-winning excellence driven by staff
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015 32 The Northern Echo
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/thenorthernechoJobs&Business NEWS FEATURE33WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015 The Northern Echo
Jobs&Business NEWS FEATUREFOLLOW US ON TWITTER @northernecho
Pump firm Tomlinson Hall is continuing to win plaudits around the world. Laura Facey finds out the reasons behind its success
COLIN SIMPSON has several reasons to celebrate.
As business de-velopment direc-
tor of pump distributor and manufacturer Tomlinson Hall he has overseen the company in Billingham, near Stockton, during a period in which it has been honoured with industry awards and accolades.
But the lifelong Middles-brough FC supporter is also enjoying his team’s exploits on the pitch.
The corridors of the 27-peo-ple strong business are deco-rated with signed Boro shirts.
Behind the walls of this un-assuming building, on Cowpen Lane Industrial Estate, is a company that supplies a vast range of pumps from leading global brands and makes Liq-uivac, its own innovative liq-uid ring vacuum pump, as well as offering servicing, repairs and engineering supplies.
Soon to be celebrating its cen-tenary year, the reins of this business are now in the hands of Tony Keville, the third gen-eration running the business.
He took over from his father, CJB Keville, who succeeded his father-in-law, Alf Tomlin-son, who founded the general engineering supplies firm with Frank Hall in 1919.
A graduate of Sheffield Uni-versity, a chartered engineer, a member of the Institute of Engineering Technology and chairman of the UK Pump Dis-tributors Association, Tony was part of the team which first discovered the hole in the ozone layer and transferred his innovativeness and inge-nuity when he joined the fam-ily business in 1976.
“Tony has continued his fam-ily’s legacy, integrating fam-ily ethics into this business to make it the success it contin-ues to be,” said Mr Simpson, who joined the firm in 1993.
“Tony is one hundred per cent focused on our staff and they reward us with their loy-alty. When people join us they stay and we are very proud they choose to work with us.”
Tomlinson Hall boasts a great deal of experience within its workforce, which enables the company to offer a total service, including pump selection and supply, problem solving, site surveys, service and repairs.
After his father passed away in 1997, Tony continued as chairman with the support of his colleagues.
“Tony is a problem solver, an inventor, who can look at a product and improve it in ways that other people wouldn’t
even think of and that’s what makes our products sought af-ter around the globe,” said Mr Simpson.
The Teesside business has gone from supplying major in-dustrial pump brands, includ-ing its own product Liquivac, to businesses in the North-East and across the UK, to Europe and now to the Middle-East, North America, South America and Asia.
In fact, they are currently ex-porting to more than 100 coun-tries.
But success has not come overnight and as director of business development, it is Mr Simpson’s job to continually look for new opportunities.
“You’ve got to have a plan,”
he said. “It’s no good sitting back and waiting for the op-portunity to come to you, you have got to go out there, meet people and show them that your product is the best one for the job.”
Although they may not al-ways agree, the relationship between Tony and Colin is based on respect and Mr Simp-son is trusted with taking Tomlinson Hall’s products to a worldwide market.
“We had a very strong repu-tation locally and we decided it was time to broaden our target area,” he explained.
“One of our first major na-tional contracts was with Scot-tish and Newcastle Brewery, latterly Scottish Courage and
now Heineken, which got our pump products in cities across the UK.
“From there we had a ripple effect, building our client base, modernising our production and ordering service and push-ing our business forward.”
Honesty, offering realistic expectations, integrity, a qual-ity product and the highest customer service is what this company has relied upon.
“Late one Friday afternoon, we had a panicked phone call from one of our clients, a dis-tiller in Scotland.
“They were planning a visit from the Queen the following Monday and had a disaster with a ‘noxious’ gas, which would’ve caused a great deal
of unpleasantness for Her Maj-esty!
“One of our team jumped on the first train heading north of the border to solve the prob-lem.
“Years later, we are still in touch and laugh about the close shave.”
Tomlinson Hall’s success also comes down to a broad customer base.
They serve end users across a range of industry sectors, including the process industry, chemical processing, petro-chemicals, shipping, food and drink processing, land reme-diation and environmental management, water utilities, energy, leisure and desalina-tion.
Their products are even aboard Roman Abramovich’s super yacht, the Eclipse.
“We learnt the hard way not to put all our eggs in one bas-ket,” said Mr Simpson.
“A few years ago our turno-ver dipped slightly, due the mothballing of the Corus Red-car steelworks, which had pre-viously been our number one customer for pumps and ancil-lary equipment.
“We learnt to diversify, not to rely heavily on one company and we recovered.
“Since then we’ve more than made up this shortfall with new customers and continued growth.
“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to be able to work within sectors built on basic human needs.
“People will always need to eat, drink and safely dispose of waste and while these in-dustries are in business, there will be a need for our pumps,” explained Colin.
TOMLINSON Hall has won the Pump Distribu-tor of the Year Award
in the British Pump Industry Awards four times, most re-cently in April 2014 and will be travelling to London later this month to compete on a nation-al stage for “Small Business of the Year” at the British Cham-ber Awards.
It is an exciting time for the business as it begins to con-template its future and, poten-tially, the next hundred years.
“We always try to plan at least five years in advance,” said Mr Simpson.
“What products will we push? What industry or coun-try will we explore? What will our staffing requirements be?
“There are skills in work-shop that we don’t want to lose when a hardworking employee chooses to retire.
“Our pump engineer appren-tice, Josh Chambers, works alongside his mentor learning the trade, acquiring new skills and offering his own fresh ideas.
“Tomlinson Hall is commit-ted to providing opportunities to young people and we believe that training the next genera-tion of engineers is important for both our industry and the North-East’s engineering and manufacturing base.
“This is how we deal with any potential skill shortage.
Colin SimpsonPeople will always need to eat, drink and safely dispose of waste and while these industries are in business, there will be a need for our pumps
“We predict where our gaps may be in the future and find a solution.
“Our workshop manager, Michael O’Hare, started off as an apprentice, as did his col-league Jonathan Parkinson, who is now completing an HNC in engineering with our support.
“It is imperative to invest in your people – they are the fu-ture of your business.”
It is a strategy that seems to be working well so far with the company almost doubling its turnover since 2007.
“Between 2013 and 2014 we saw a substantial increase in sales of 12.9 per cent.
“This year we have increased a further 7.89 per cent and our goal is to increase total compa-ny sales to £5m by 2018,” said Mr Simpson.
“A key objective for us is to build Liquivac into a globally distributed brand and we are aiming to secure additional
global distribution partners. “Last year we visited the
Middle-East to attract more end-users to the product, and we were extremely glad to find its capabilities are in high de-mand out there, in a range of sectors.
“We’ve developed an ambi-tious export strategy and are re-branding the product, build-ing a new website and invest-ing in a strategic marketing campaign. We’re determined and believe in the quality of our product and people can see that when they meet us.
“Over the next three years we also aim to strengthen Tomlin-son Hall’s position as a leading pump distributor both in the UK and in global markets, and will add further major pump brands to our distribution portfolio, complementing the existing products we offer.”
As part of its growth strat-egy, the company has also recruited a sales support ad-
CELEBRATION: Colin Simpson, business development director
ministrative assistant and business administration ap-prentice, Molly Pickett.
“It’s ambitious but we have an aspiring team of employees
and if we all pull in the same direction we will do it,” said Mr Simpson.
“If I were to offer any advice to other companies, it would be
to invest in their staff, to help them reach their potential and to place your trust in them.
“Nurture your working rela-tionships with customers and always be respectful, today’s apprentices could be managers of the future.
“I admire other business peo-ple and try to learn from their successes.
“It’s important to ask for help when you need it and take ad-vice from organisations like NECC and UKTI who are ready to help.
“Stay one step ahead, plan for the future, offer a quality product and customers will come to you. And last of all, find a job, and a football club, you love.”
JAMES RAMSBOTHAM, chief executive of the North East Chamber of
Commerce, will be attending the national awards with Tom-linson Hall, in London.
He said: “This company is an excellent example of how a tra-ditional, family business can diversify, modernise and react to ensure it is in a solid posi-tion for customers and employ-ees for years to come. They are a leading light in the North-East and will do the region proud on the national stage.
“I look forward to accompa-nying our seven–strong con-tingent of NECC members shortlisted for national BCC awards and wish them all the very best of luck.”
INVESTMENT: Josh Chambers, the company’s apprentice pump engineer
EXPERTISE: Pump engineer Dan Hepplestone at work
ROLE: Molly Pickett, business administration apprentice
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