Econ Engineering, the UK’s leading manufacturer of winter maintenance vehicles, has strengthened its board with the appointment of Tim Ward as a new Non-Exec Director.
With more than 45 years’ experience working in the automotive industry, Tim’s appointment bolsters the Yorkshire-based manufacturer’s senior management team, providing valuable insight as it looks to build on over 50 years of success.
He completes a five-strong board which includes Managing Director Jonathan Lupton, Finance and HR Director Beverley Shepherd, Operations Director Gareth Legg, and Director Thomas Lupton.
With an extensive CV covering a wide range of roles from the workshop floor right through to setting strategies for a business with a £250m turnover, Tim will also play a key role in mentoring Thomas Lupton, the grandson of founder Bill Lupton, nephew of Jonathan Lupton and son of Andrew Lupton who sadly passed away in 2022.
Tim said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Econ team and will be looking to add my 45 years of experience to an already very impressive senior management team as we drive forward in 2024 and beyond.
“Econ’s legacy is there for all to see, and I am excited at the prospect of working closely with Jonathan and the rest of the board to further enhance our first-class reputation for innovation, excellence and customer service.”
In welcoming Tim to the business, Econ Engineering’s Managing Director, Jonathan Lupton, adds: “I look forward to continuing our successful journey as a very well respected, family-owned, national manufacturing business – working alongside Gareth, Beverley, Thomas and now Tim who will add his own fresh ideas on how we can continue to move Econ forward.”
Econ designs and builds more than 85 per cent of the nation’s winter road maintenance vehicles from its Ripon assembly plant and last year launched the world’s first fully electric gritter (E-QCB) which has been successfully trialled at highways depots across the country.