The boss of a 100-year-old company that survived the bombing of Bristol during Second World War and the global financial crash of 2008 says the secret to longevity is “having the foresight to invest in the business”.
Greg Howell is managing director of Britain’s second-oldest welding equipment firm - Philpott & Cowlin - which was founded in 1920 in Bristol by Albert Philpott and Henry Cowlin with capital of just £150.
The firm was initially based in Victoria Street, in Bristol city centre, later opening sites in Cardiff and Weston-super-Mare after the war.
The company moved to Bedminster in the 1950s and also opened a machine tools division in Avonmouth.
Philpott & Cowlin supplies equipment to the aerospace sector including to industry giants such as GKN, Rolls-Royce and Airbus.
The business, says Mr Howell, has been “hit hard” by the Covid-19 crisis as the aviation sector battles with the collapse in air travel caused by the pandemic.
But the company has recently signed an agreement with a manufacturer to supply local aerospace with weld data analysis equipment - and has also been investing in high-tech machinery from Japan.
“We have weathered Hitler’s bombs, the economic global collapse of 2008, the shrinking manufacturing base since the 1980s, more recessions than you can shake a stick at, and are now presently plotting our way through the world pandemic to ensure our survival.
“You have to keep moving forward. We have taken a huge hit during the pandemic, I can’t deny it because we work closely with the aviation sector.
“Our industry was big once upon a time and I am confident it will be again. There’s new tech coming - mostly from Japan - and it’s the future.”
Mr Howell believes manufacturing, and the aviation sector, in Britain will bounce back from its decline.
But he says businesses in the industry will need to invest in technology - and accept automation and robotics.
“People will always want to buy cars and it’s the same with aviation. We are just in a slump right now,” he said.
“It is an absolute necessity for metal fabrication companies, in particular, to focus on improved productivity and quality by investing in robotics.
“The key to our longevity and survival is that we are continually investing in equipment and it keeps us ahead of the game.”
However, Mr Howell says he does believe it is now a matter of “survival of the fittest” for businesses.
“Companies need to invest but the question is do they have the foresight? Businesses also need reserves they can call back on, too.
“Aside from that, it’s about offering unique products and excellent support and service.”
Philpott & Cowlin is one of only a handful of Bristol companies more than 100 years old and still trading in the city.
Mr Howell says the company won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
He added: “Bristol has a proud tradition of industry - and we plan on being around for many years to come.”
