Members Enjoy a Great Evening of Networking at Ipeco Holding LTD

Ipeco Holdings of Southend hosted a networking event and factory tour for over 50 Essex Chambers of Commerce Member companies on 31 October.

Founded in 1960 Ipeco is still family-owned and based in Southend, where around 80% of its worldwide workforce are based. It is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of aircraft crew seating and executive jet passenger seating for global heavyweights such as Boeing, Airbus and Gulfstream.

The current Managing Director Steve Johnson, grandson of the founder, welcomed the Chambers party and set the scene by video link from the United States before handing over to senior managers including Finance Director Sarah Nash to cover the detail of the operation at Southend.

Over recent years Ipeco has consolidated its presence in Southend into new state-of-the-art facilities on land it has purchased at Southend Airport Business Park. Chambers Members were conducted on a tour of these impressive facilities and able to see the very latest in advanced manufacturing techniques in action.

The Chambers party was struck by several factors:

• the long-term commitment of Ipeco not just to Southend but to investment in the development and production of quality products which are keeping the company at the leading edge in aviation supply chains;
• the degree of vertical integration which means the company does so much for itself rather than be overly reliant on outsourcing or an extensive supply chain;
• the strong commitment to training and looking after its staff, exemplified through a relatively flat structure, characterised by a non-hierarchical culture and company ethos, which clearly, to judge by the high proportion of long-serving staff, engenders loyalty and commitment to the company from the workforce.

Co-host Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of the Essex Chambers, said: “Ipeco is a world-leading manufacturer and a jewel in the crown of the south Essex economy. We should recognise and celebrate having such an exemplary business as a feather in the cap of the Southend business community. I’d like to thank all at Ipeco who made this fabulous visit possible and wish them every success in all their future ventures.”