Testing company wins Beacon status

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 22, 2007

The Beacon programme is designed to increase productivity, profitability and the wealth of the South West.

Beacon status has been awarded to Epsilon Test Services in recognition for its business performance, sustained growth and demonstration of good practice.

Backed by the government and sponsored by the Regional Development Agency, the Beacon programme is designed to increase productivity, profitability and the wealth of the South West region by bringing together the most forward thinking and ambitious companies to promote success.

There are currently 194 companies on the Beacon register.

Epsilon, which has its headquarters in the South West, was invited to join Beacon after winning the DTI award for technology.

The company successfully underwent an audit to verify that it could demonstrate outstanding achievement across five key qualifying criteria.

Epsilon scored "outstanding" with significant improvements in productivity and performance, positive culture change and successful business development.

Commenting on the Beacon award Mark Blanchfield, Managing Director of Epsilon, said "I am very proud that Epsilon has joined such an elite group of companies and has been recognised for the best practise we champion".

"As a member of Beacon, we can tap into the knowledge and support of the best business leaders in our area, which is enormously valuable".

Mark Blanchfield explained that being part of Beacon will allow Epsilon to benchmark itself against the highest performing companies in the region.

"We have always strived to be the best within the electrical testing market and by taking best practise from outside our industry we can further improve", he said.

Epsilon has invested heavily in technology and has developed innovative software that has led to huge efficiency savings both in-house and for its clients.

This use and development of technology is one of the things that has made the company so successful, with a 35% turnover growth in the last year alone.

Presenting a plaque on behalf Beacon, Project Director Sue Baker said "Epsilon joins the South West's most progressive companies which we have brought together to spearhead growth and to play an important part in cultivating the enterprise excellence that exists in the region".

"They now have access to the Beacon network of companies and can join the regular debates on strategic and tactical issues via 'Beacon Boardrooms', Academy workshops, think tanks, learning groups, company visits and from the Beacon website".

"Epsilon has volunteered to share its expertise on a range of topics including its expertise in the application of wireless technology".

According to Blanchfield, he has already seen the value in becoming a Beacon company.

He explained that he has taken part in forums that have given him guidance on a range of business issues and said that he had shared his expertise, for example in a discussion on share option schemes.