Dale Power at 90: Factory Tour Charges Members Minds
Located in the coastal town of Scarborough, Dale Power Solutions recently welcomed members of both Made in Yorkshire and Made in the Midlands for an exclusive behind-the-scenes factory tour. With nearly a century of expertise in secure power solutions, the company gave guests a first-hand look at the innovation and values that have earned it three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise across different categories.
Welcome and Recognition
The day opened with a lively breakfast-time networking session that let members from both regions connect and exchange ideas. Ilona Pitt, Made in Group Director, then greeted attendees and highlighted Dale Power Solutions’ deep commitment to sustainability, innovation, and investment in both talent and technology. She also introduced The Great 100 Awards, a new initiative that celebrates individuals making outstanding contributions to British manufacturing.
Made Community Members during the morning networking session
Legacy, Vision, and Innovation
CEO Gavin Hepburn delivered a compelling presentation that traced Dale’s history and evolution. “At Dale, our true power lies not just in engineering expertise, but in the people behind it,” he said. From early work in diesel generators and UPS systems to the growing focus on battery energy storage, Dale continues to lead secure-power innovation.
“Providing equipment and installation marks only the first step in a journey that can last 50 years,” Hepburn explained, stressing the longevity of Dale’s infrastructure solutions. He noted that recent gains in performance and profitability have enabled substantial reinvestment in people, facilities, and future-focused initiatives.
Sustainability and Strategic Commitment
Gavin Hepburn also underscored Dale’s push toward B Corp certification as part of a broader ESG strategy. “Becoming a certified B Corp means meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability,” he said. Dale’s own battery-storage systems and forthcoming solar-panel installations demonstrate its leadership in responsible, forward-thinking manufacturing.
CEO Gavin Hepburn delivers a best practice presentation to Made Members.
Inside Dale: Factory Tour and Technical Insights
Guides led attendees through Dale’s high-precision production facility and showed the meticulous processes that define the company’s build quality. The team batch-numbers and tracks every component from procurement to final installation, reflecting a rigorous material-management system.
“Our team meticulously documents every step of the build process,” a guide explained. “From electrical and mechanical drawings to testing specifications, every unit offers absolute reliability.” The tour spotlighted both batch-build production lines and fully bespoke systems— including DCV chargers and advanced three-phase equipment.
Guests also observed Dale’s extensive testing capabilities—flash tests, continuity checks, polarity verification, seismic simulation, and heat-run testing. With 85 field engineers maintaining up to 8,000 assets across the UK, the company’s operational scale and service commitment stood out.
Made Members during guided Factory Tour at Dale Power Solutions
People and Culture: Strategy, Growth, and Engagement
Dale’s achievements rest on a vibrant culture and thoughtful long-term planning. “We’ve invested significantly in our culture—from social events to upgraded facilities and open-door HR policies,” Hepburn said. “That investment has lifted morale and strengthened business performance.”
During a Q&A session, Gavin Hepburn CEO, Head of Services Kevin Thompson, and Sales & Marketing Director Mark Henderson shared insights into growth plans and workplace ethos. They emphasised Dale’s proactive move into battery energy storage to meet the UK’s forecasted need for 40 gigawatts of capacity in the next five to six years.
Dale now employs about 280 people—up from 220 just three years ago—showcasing both cultural transformation and business growth. Hepburn recalled, “We started many cultural initiatives because they were easy and inexpensive. As morale improved, business performance followed.”
Apprenticeships remain vital. Hannah Magowan, who started her career at Dale as an apprentice, shared her journey and highlighted the company’s work with local schools and events like Scarborough Engineering Week to inspire future engineers.
Made Members engage in the presentation and Q&A.
Closing Reflections
As Dale Power Solutions celebrates its 90th anniversary, the company demonstrates a proud legacy and a clear vision—grounded in innovation, sustainability, and people. The event reinforced the power of shared best practices and community spirit at the heart of the Made in Group network.
Do you know someone in your team or network who’s making a difference? Celebrate them now. Post a good-news story on the Made Platform, and the Great 100 Awards could recognize your champion of British industry.
Discover more:
Upcoming Made in Group events: madeinyorkshire.com/events | madeinthemidlands.com/events