A North Yorkshire employee who joined Econ Engineering in its Assembly department in 2008 has been promoted to IT Director, following almost two decades with the Ripon-based manufacturer.
Wayne Tench has worked his way up through the family-owned business, progressing to Head of IT before taking on the director role.
His promotion comes as Econ Engineering continues to invest in technology and digital systems, including the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform designed to bring together key business functions.
The company manufactures gritters and snow ploughs for winter road maintenance. It says 85% of the winter maintenance vehicles supplied to local councils and private contractors come from its North Yorkshire factory.
From assembly to IT leadership
Wayne joined Econ in 2008, starting in the Assembly department before moving through the organisation and eventually leading its IT function.
His father was also a long-serving employee at Econ, continuing a family connection with the manufacturer.
Managing Director Jonathan Lupton said Wayne’s promotion recognised his contribution to the business and his role in implementing the new ERP system.
Jonathan Lupton, Managing Director of Econ Engineering: Wayne’s promotion to IT Director recognises the significant contribution he has made to Econ Engineering over many years, particularly his leadership of our IT function and the successful implementation of our new ERP system.
As technology continues to play an increasingly important role across the business, Wayne will help drive further improvements in our systems, security, automation, AI capabilities and integration programmes.
We are delighted to see him take on this role and look forward to the positive impact he will continue to make across the business.
Investment in technology
Over the past year, Econ Engineering has invested in IT systems and infrastructure, business process improvements, cyber security, automation, artificial intelligence platforms and systems integration.
An ERP system brings together business functions such as finance, human resources, supply chains and manufacturing through a shared database, helping different departments work with connected information.
Wayne said he was proud to take on the new role after 18 years with the company.
Wayne Tench, IT Director at Econ Engineering: Having been part of Econ for the past 18 years, I’m incredibly proud to be appointed IT Director.
The business has invested heavily in technology and digital transformation in recent years, and I’m excited to continue building on that progress with the team.
Our focus will remain on delivering systems and technologies that support colleagues, improve efficiency and help drive the business forward.
Econ Engineering has been established for more than 55 years. Alongside its main manufacturing base in Ripon, it has engineering hubs in Alloa, Scotland; Sowerby, Thirsk; Halesworth, Suffolk; and Cardiff, Wales.