As the UK’s leading manufacturer of winter maintenance vehicles, family-run Econ Engineering is determined to stay out in front.
From humble beginnings, Econ Engineering has grown to become the company we all rely on, ensuring Britain’s roads don’t come to a complete standstill during cold weather.
The UK’s leading manufacturer of winter maintenance vehicles, Econ supplies 85% of the nation’s gritters, alongside hot boxes and tippers to hundreds of local councils and contractors across the UK.
Headquartered in Ripon, North Yorkshire, where its state-of-the art manufacturing facility is located, Econ employs 250 staff. It has engineering depots in Alloa in Scotland, Sowerby in Thirsk, Halesworth in Suffolk and Cardiff in Wales.
Founded 55 years ago by Bill Lupton, much of Econ’s modern day success can be attributed to the work of brothers Andrew and Jonathan Lupton who took the reins from their father and, using his solid foundations, grew the company further.
Sadly, Andrew passed away in 2022 but his son, Thomas, is following firmly in the family’s footsteps as a valued board member.
Innovation has always been at the heart of the business, and it was Thomas who played a crucial role in ensuring the success of Econ’s revolutionary E-QCB project as its design lead.
The E-QCB, the first completely electric vehicle of its kind on the market, utilises the very latest in sustainable technology without diminishing performance. With no exhaust gases produced it can be utilised in zero emission zones and where there is appropriate depot HGV EV charging.
Its QCB (Quick Change Body) technology enables the bodywork to be switched between gritter, tipper or caged body modes, with easy transformation taking no longer than 15 minutes by a single operative, delivering flexibility as well as sustainability to any highways fleet.
The fully electric highways maintenance vehicles are making a positive impact with customers including highway services provider Ringway.
Managing Director Jonathan Lupton comments: “Econ has enjoyed a long-term strategic fleet partnership with Ringway, and we were delighted when they took the bold decision to go electric with delivery of the very first E-QCB.
“Having been thoroughly tested and trialled over the last 18 months, we were confident that it would stand up to the everyday rigours of being put to use out on the UK’s highways, but to receive such a ringing endorsement from Ringway is testament to the hard work and skill that our team has put into this project.”
Another recent success includes Econ agreeing an exclusivity deal with Exactrak, the UK leaders in route management solutions for winter maintenance vehicles.
Econ and Exactrak have a long-standing relationship, working together for the past 20 years, but the new deal marks the first time Exactrak has been the exclusive supplier for Econ’s vehicles.
Alongside its leading winter range of gritters, de-icers and snow ploughs, Econ also offers a range of highway repairs and maintenance vehicles that can be tailored to a customer’s needs all year round.
These include hotboxes and roadmenders, which both continue Econ’s innovative approach. The versatile roadmenders come complete with a ‘hotbox’ for keeping the asphalt for patching surface holes at the correct operating temperature for the whole operational period, and a self-loading debris tipper, features that are unique on Britain’s roads on the same vehicle.
The innovative design and technology of the roadmender means that alongside environmental and time advantages, clients save substantial sums as only one vehicle is required to dig out, dispose of the debris and repair.
Econ also boasts an extensive range of used winter and highways maintenance vehicles for sale or hire, including gritters, salt spreaders, tippers.
Thomas, 26, concludes: “It is great to see the business thriving and if I can contribute to that future success then I will be really happy to play my part.
“We have many people who’ve worked here for 20, 30, maybe almost 50 years and that is something which you don’t really find in many other businesses. It shows how special Econ is and what it means to people.”
Transport & Logistics – Driving The Industry Forward
