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Musk: Pipework from concept to completion 
UK engineering firm Musk has spent the last few years reinventing itself, culminating in a new corporate identity and new premises. Exec Digital talks with Managing Director Keith Booth
Written by Ian Armitage & Produced by Adam Dade
2008 marked a new chapter in the history of UK engineering firm Musk, which has worked its way into a commanding position in the market for specialist pipework and vessels for the process and utility industries.
“We reinvented ourselves,” says Keith Booth, Managing Director of Musk. “We opened new premises and launched a new corporate identity.” Moving to Astron Business Park in Swadlincote, in a seven figure deal, and rebranding, especially in the current climate, is a brave move. However, it certainly shows that Musk is undeterred by the recession.
“We supply, design and install specialist high quality process and utility pipework, control systems and bespoke vessels for industrial processes,” adds Booth, who likes to think of the work Musk does, in lay terms, as large-scale mechanical turnkey projects . “Musk Engineering also has the facility to complete turnkey projects, not just mechanical but electrical, data installations and software, through to final commissioning,” he adds. “We work with the likes of Nestle, Kraft Foods, Cadbury, Toyota, Astra Zeneca, Britvic, Proctor and Gamble, Pfizer, Premier Foods and Unilever.
“So, we work with a mixed high profile clientele really.”
Reaching new heights
Musk was founded by coppersmith Terry Musk in 1979. Back then, the firm was a small-scale operation that concentrated on producing pipe-work and fermentation vessels for breweries. However, during the early 1990s, the senior management team set its sights a little higher.
“Most of this started when we became part of WT Parker,” says Booth, who has been with the firm over 24 years. “At the time, it gave us the financial stability to expand and take on more work, bigger contracts.
“After that we challenged ourselves to diversify outside of the Brewing sector and into other industries and markets. Since then we’ve started working with Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Food and associated industries, as well as aerospace giants – I could go on.
“We’ve grown a huge amount,” he concedes.
Sadly, Terry Musk, Musk’s inspirational founder, died in 2001 and was not around to see the company become what it is today – a £10 million turnover firm. Of the £10 million turnover that Musk achieved in 2008, £2.2 million came from large-scale turnkey projects, £6 million from process and utility pipework and £1.8 million from vessels and tanks. “Terry had a reputation for quality and that is ingrained in the business,” says Booth. “That’s why we were keen, when rebranding, not to lose the Musk name. We’re very proud to keep it.”
The move
Musk’s move to the new premises had been on the cards for some time, says Booth, who told Exec Digital that, at one point, there were even plans for T. Musk to combine its operations with Pandelco, another member of the WT Parker Group. “Those proposals fell through due to the risk of cross-contamination between the different kinds of steel the two businesses used,” says Booth. “The result was that moving was the only option because we didn’t have the facilities that reflected the work we do and the clients we work with.”
Musk started 30 years ago, operating from premises in Robian Way, in Swadlincote, with one workshop. As it generated more and more work, it added a second workshop and then another, but, says Booth, the operation became inefficient having outgrown the premises. “We really needed to move,” he admits. “We’re increasing the productivity and the professionalism. I’ve felt that we’ve always had a professional team in the workforce, but now we need to add and strengthen this attribute.
“We’ve still got work to do; we need to purchase new equipment and thus further improve our efficiency.”
Recruitment drive
The firm employs around 30 engineers and 75 tradespeople but is looking to recruit more staff to manage the growth that is anticipated. “A lot of our success is down to the people we employ,” says Booth. “And we are currently looking to add to our excellent team.
“One of the strategies we use for recruitment is apprenticeship, and we work with local Burton College. We recruit apprentices annually on the shop floor and it’s a great success.
“Why apprenticeships? Well, I think there is a knowledge gap. Engineers are either ageing or very young. That’s because this industry was perceived as unattractive for many years; how-ever, we’re reversing the trend.”
One of the firm’s recent apprentice graduates, Brett Parker, is now fully qualified to NVQ level 2 and is completing his HND. He agrees: “This is a great place to work and I enjoy the daily challenge.”
Current Market
One of the company’s claims to fame is that it manufactured the equipment that enables Cadbury to mix the distinctive yellow and white fondant at the heart of its Creme Eggs.
Musk has come a long way since then and Booth is excited by the future: “We’ve had a record year in 2008. It’s been an exceptionally good year.
“In the next three years, we are hoping to increase turnover from £10 million to £12 million and then £14 million,” he adds. “I’d like to see us grow with turnkey projects, undertaking complete projects from design, right the way through to completion and commissioning. Also, I’d like to see all the pressure vessels, reactor vessels and bespoke specialised fabrications increased.”
Booth, it seems, is confident that work will keep flowing through Musk’s pipeline.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Company name: Musk Engineering Ltd
MD : Keith Booth
Operations: Manufacturer of specialist pipework and vessels for the process and utility industries
Established: 1979
Employees: 110
Revenue: £10 million
www.musk-eng.co.uk
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