Last winter’s extreme weather conditions creates new jobs at North Yorkshire manufacturer

Last winter’s extreme weather conditions has resulted in a boost of orders for a North Yorkshire manufacturer.

Econ Engineering, which is the UK’s largest gritter and hot box manufacturer, has reported an increase in orders for its winter maintenance and road repair vehicles that has led to the creation of 20 new jobs.

The company, which produces 80% of all the salt spreading vehicles used on the country’s roads, is introducing a full night shift at its Ripon manufacturing base.

Andre Lupton, Econ sales director, said: “We are boosting production of our iconic Econ snow clearing and pot hole repair vehicles to meet the huge demand from our customers throughout the UK.

“Councils are now in the process of patching up and repairing the roads after the ravages of a long cold winter – as well as planning ahead for what next winter may bring.

“With orders across the board up on this time last year, we have decided to introduce a night shift at our factory in Ripon and are now looking for a further 20 enthusiastic people to work either day shifts or four nights a week with highly competitive rates of pay.”

Econ, which is a £30m-turnover family business, is currently recruiting for the full variety of roles involved in the vehicle production process including skilled fitters, welders and painters.

Mr Putlon added: “We’re incredibly proud of our people, who are without doubt our greatest asset, and enable us to produce high-tech, quality vehicles that are manufactured right here in Yorkshire and designed specifically for the UK’s roads.

“We have several members of staff who have been with us for more than two decades and it’s fantastic that we are now in this position of being able to recruit more people to join the Econ team.”