Precisely where we want to be...

A FAMILY engineering business has come through the recession and is looking to build turnover back to pre-2008 levels.

Dawson Precision Components, of Shaw, makes the tiny, high-accuracy parts for Formula One racing cars, jet fighters and satellites. The firm has completed a £2 million investment programme in equipment and employees.

The dedication of the management, now headed by the children of founding brothers William and Frank Dawson at a modern, expanded site in Greenfield Lane, has helped DPC maintain good profits through the recession.

Financial director Julie Hughes, who still lives in Shaw, said turnover is on target for £1.8 million in the current financial year but is confident that £2.2 million — DPC’s previous highest — can be achieved next year.

Sales director Paul Dawson added: “We have lost some customers but we have gained others and they will bring more work to the shopfloor as our relationships develop. At a time when manufacturing is increasingly moving to cheaper countries, we are offering a specialist service to a range of clients.”

Led by the third family member, managing director Simon Dawson, the company has used the quieter times of the last two years to train 27 members staff to NVQ level in conjunction with Oldham Training Centre.

With 31 staff on the shopfloor out of a total workforce of 38, the company is proudly maintaining the finer traditions of engineering in Oldham.

The range of products extends to jewellery piercing studs and surgical screws so there could be many people out there, perhaps even reading this story, either wearing or using DPC precision components.