Wakefield engineering firm to expand into new markets with Leeds Beckett partnership

A family-owned engineering firm based in Wakefield is set to expand into new markets with support from one of the region’s universities.

Business and management specialists at Leeds Beckett University have formed a partnership with Bensons Control Panels in a bid to support its growth plans.

Bensons Control Panels designs and manufactures bespoke control panels and systems across a range of industries.

The Normanton-based company has teamed up with the academics, who are all based within Leeds Business School, on a two-year project to bring strategic change to the company’s culture, processes and marketing to enable the family-owned business to develop new services, enter new markets and grow in size.

As part of the project, the team will recruit a full-time research associate who will be based within Bensons.

Helen Culloden, managing director of Bensons Controls Panels, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering and working with Leeds Beckett University.

“The funding secured, together with the collaboration with the team of academics within Leeds Business School, will enable us to greatly strengthen and develop our team and business.

“It will provide us with the ability, knowledge, structure and capacity to further grow and develop, and reinforce our reputation in the marketplace - enabling us to continue to expand and break into new and emerging markets.”

Dr Ollie Jones, principal lecturer in operations, enterprise and supply chain management and project lead, added: “Bensons has an excellent reputation and has ambitions to develop unique ways to combine new product development with customised services - in both new and existing markets.

“In order to do that, they need to build their management capabilities and the corporate culture across their whole organisation.

“We are looking forward to working with Bensons to guide them through the changes needed to achieve their goals.”

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