Rittal-CSM has been short-listed for two major local awards at the Plymouth Business Awards 2019: Large Business of the Year 2018 and Apprenticeship Development 2018.
It caps a wonderful year for the business. The German-owned international manufacturing & engineering company is a leading global provider of industrial enclosures, power distribution, climate control, and IT infrastructure as well as software and services.
In the last 18 months, Rittal-CSM has registered record growth of 30 percent taking its annual turnover to £90 million with a strong order book now in 2019. Meanwhile its customer base has widened to include major international brands such as Facebook, Microsoft, Lidl and Dell.
The company has managed the rapid expansion by taking on 200 new employees, with staff numbers now totalling 554. It also recently announced plans to increase its apprentice headcount by 24 percent in 2019 from its current level of 33.
All this means the business is now in a prime position to capitalise on the myriad of opportunities that are being created in the rapidly expanding global technology sector, across automation and IoT, cloud-based computing – and even driverless cars.
L to R: Caleb Toms, Welding Apprentice; Samuel Bruce, Mechanical and Manufacture Engineering Apprentice; William Judge, Mechanical and Manufacture Engineering Apprentice
There are widely recognised, acute skills shortages across engineering, production and technology roles in the Plymouth area, which Rittal-CSM is addressing through training and development.
The company provides a structured apprenticeship training programme, qualifications and hands-on experience for its apprentices, alongside industry-leading workforce
The popularity of its schemes can be shown in the large number of applications it received in 2018 for Level 2 Sheet Metal manufacturing and Level 3 Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering apprenticeships.
It has also developed a talent pipeline through partnerships with Jobcentre Plus and major educational establishments such as City College Plymouth, UTC Plymouth and the University of Plymouth and Skills Group. Closer links and understanding have been forged by sharing Rittal-CSM facilities with students and providing relevant skills training.
Many former apprentices are now long-term employees because of the company’s career development, secure employment, international links, competitive salaries and great company benefits.
There is also a focus on long-term continued professional development for all members of staff, including Level 3 CMI Apprenticeships to develop management skills in partnership with City College.
The winners of the Plymouth Business Awards 2019 will be announced at the Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth, on Friday, 17 May 2019.
Share
