Our #madeinsandwell Monday star this week is one of Think Sandwell’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies of 2017: commercial vehicle bodybuilder Bevan Group.

The family-owned Sandwell company manufactures more than 60 truck and van bodies each week, for some of the biggest names on UK roads. Its portfolio includes boxes, curtainsiders, tippers, dropsiders and Lutons, as well as specialist products such as highways maintenance vehicles.

Bevan Group employs more than 300 people and operates from its new headquarters in Wednesbury, a second location in the town. It has other production facilities in Halesowen and Oldbury, and one in St Helens in Merseyside. The company’s heart is firmly in the Black Country, says Bevan Group’s managing director Anthony Bevan – not least because of its ideal location.

“We are central for travelling throughout the country – our customers are based all over the UK,” said Anthony. “We value the ease of communication between our different premises here. Also, the Black Country is known for its outstanding manufacturing heritage and workforce, and in fact our business is the unique entity it is today because of the consistency and high quality of our staff.”

As well as growing significantly in the past year, Bevan Group has recently become the first winner of Commercial Motor magazine’s prestigious new award for commercial vehicle bodybuilders.

Transport industry experts on the judging panel praised the high quality and breadth of Bevan’s submission. Focusing on the company’s pioneering Sky Hook fall prevention system and Safe-T-Drop rails for dropside bodies, one judge said: “The safety innovations are not only clever, but also offer great benefits for both employers and operators in order to work in a safe environment.”

Anthony said: “Commercial Motor is a highly influential trade publication, and essential reading for all those who work in the road transport sector. We are thrilled, therefore, to be its first Bodybuilder of the Year, and to bring this coveted trophy to the Black Country.

“This fantastic achievement underlines the quality not only of our products, but also of the highly professional and committed team I am privileged to lead. Every one of them has contributed, and they can all take pride in our success.”

The award set the seal on a memorable 2017, in which Bevan Group also celebrated its 40th anniversary.

#madeinsandwell Monday is a celebration of the talent and diversity of businesses in our borough. The Think Sandwell team was delighted to have Bevan Group as our first #madeinsandwell Monday star of the new year. If you’re interested in being considered for a #madeinsandwell Monday profile, read this.