Half a century ago, friends Wilfred Gibbons and Roy Templeman, with the help of Wilfred’s son Martin, formed T.G. Consultancy, a company specialising in electric motor rewinds and repairs. 

When a company that was downsizing made Mr Gibbons and Mr Templeman redundant, along with several other people and the entire rewinds department, they saw an opportunity. Setting up a rewinds business of their own, the pair began trading out of a small shed on Woodrolfe Road, Maldon.

By listening to customers and responding to demand, the company started expanding, sourcing new machinery and adding pumps, panel building and transmission systems to its offering over the next two decades. 

Fast-forward 50 years and the business is now known as Gibbons Engineering Group, with agricultural and ultraviolet solutions being the latest of no less than 11 thriving divisions. The company delivers complex projects across the globe, with the expertise and personnel to deliver huge turnkey projects for high-profile clients.

However, Gibbons Engineering Group has not forgotten its roots and its rewinds department is still going strong. The business has remained in the family, with Martin Gibbons serving as chairman and his son, Matthew, representing the third generation of Gibbons as managing director. He says: “50 years is a fantastic achievement for Gibbons. We are particularly proud of the contribution we have made to the local community over the years, employing dozens of people from the surrounding area. This milestone reflects the hard work of the entire team.”

Gibbons Engineering Group is keen to share its achievement with the local community in Essex is therefore marking the occasion with a networking event for local businesses. Gibbons will also hold a competition for local primary and secondary schools. 

As a partner of the Year of Engineering last year, the company is particularly eager to engage with young people, hoping to inspire them to consider the varied opportunities a career in engineering can offer. 

Gibbons Engineering Group will also be marking the milestone on its social media channels; special interviews will be found on its YouTube channel, along with a ‘50 most memorable moments’ countdown on its Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.