Britain's Bravest Manufacturing Company
 BBMC sign on Stafford railway station from when the company was it was known as the RBLI. | |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) |
| Founded | 1919 in Aylesford, Kent, England |
| Headquarters | Aylesford, England |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Steve Sherry (Chief Executive) |
Number of employees | 110 |
| Parent | Royal British Legion |
| Website | Website |
Britain's Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC) is a social enterprise company which aims to produce four things; signs, wooden pallets, print & mail and fulfilment. The company was founded to employ military service veterans, a tradition that has continued into the modern day.
History
The company was founded in 1919 as Industrial Settlements Inc and its mission was to help veterans from the First World War during their rehabilitation. The company had taken possession of Preston Hall in Aylesford and was providing care to tuberculous ex-servicemen.[1] Some of the men found that having something to do whilst recuperating, helped not only to pass the time, but also to help engage their brains and bodies. The company's manufacturing headquarters is in Aylesford in Kent and is aligned alongside its shelter accommodation, which is also meant for ex-service personnel. There is another factory in Surrey which manufactures the same products in the range.[2]
The factory in Aylesford operates from a 70-acre (28 ha) site and its aim is to provide veterans with long-term careers. Some of the workers arrive directly from the forces whilst some have spent some time in the civilian world before going to the BBMC.[3]
In April 2016, the RBLI was re-launched as the Britain's Bravest Manufacturing Company.[2]
Ethos
The company is run on a social care ethos with the intent and focus being on the ex-service men and women who work in the manufacturing side. They produce signs, wooden pallets and print & mailing items. In 2015-2016, the company turnover was £5 million, though this a surplus and was re-invested in the company rather being seen as profit.[4] The signs that the company produce have mostly been used on the UK railway network with Network Rail being the most numerous consumer (with Railtrack and British Rail before it) in a relationship that spans 25 years. In the financial year 2015-2016, BBMC supplied 110 signs and made £493,000 from Network Rail.[5] The market for signs has changed in recent years with 60% of signs manufactured used by the railway industry and 40% for the road industry.[6]
Whilst the main thrust behind the company has been helping ex-service personnel, although in recent times it has been promoting a project known as LifeWorks which would see the project rolled out to anyone with a disability. An initial application of £750,000 has been submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions to enable the pilot to be rolled out.[7]
References
- ↑ "About us". rbli.co.uk. RBLI. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- 1 2 "Royal British Legion Industries’ social enterprise manufacturing division launches as Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company". cobseo.org.uk. The Confederation of Service Charities. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ Waller, David (1 December 2016). "You don't have to be brave to work here, but it helps". The Times (72082). ISSN 0140-0460.
- ↑ Pyman, Tom (13 November 2016). "Veteran village has ‘ridden the storm’ and continues to rebuild life after the front line". Kent News. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ "Network Rail continues support for veterans’ social enterprise as Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company launches". networkrail.co.uk. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ Tongue, Fred (8 June 2016). "RBLI: Britain’s bravest manufacturing company". themanufacturer.com. The Manufacturer. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
- ↑ Nesling, Jodie (20 October 2016). "MP Rob Wilson visits veterans working at the RBLI in Aylesford". Kent Online. Retrieved 1 December 2016.