Insight 45 - Magazine - Page 25
LETCHWORTH’S FB CHAIN TURNS 40 –
AND IT’S JUST GETTING STARTED
FB Chain is celebrating 40 years of
innovation, resilience, and community
commitment in Letchworth – marking
a journey from a local forklift chain
supplier to an industry leader with
a global reach, all while investing in
sustainability, local talent, and the
future of engineering.
F
or 40 years, a Letchworth team has
been making a global impact – one
chain at a time. From forklifts to
conveyors, FB Chain’s expertise has helped
keep industries moving worldwide, all
while staying true to its local roots. Now,
as it marks four decades of innovation, the
company is celebrating not just its success
but the people and community that made
it possible.
FROM LOCAL BEGINNINGS TO GLOBAL
REACH
Founded in 1985 on Jubilee Road, FB
Chain began as a key supplier to the
flourishing British forklift manufacturing
sector. As the industry evolved, so did
the company – expanding its offerings
to factories, warehouses, and logistics
centres worldwide. One of the first
major milestones came in 1995 with
the invention of the Professional Chain
Wear Gauge by founder Jim Cameron,
a breakthrough that improved safety
standards across the industry. Today, FB
Chain remains at the forefront of chain
solutions, continually innovating while
staying deeply rooted in the Letchworth
community.
One such success story is Rob Finch
from Letchworth, who joined FB Chain
as a Business Administrator aged 20 in
2010 and has since risen to Business
Improvement Co-ordinator. “FB Chain
has grown a lot since I started, expanding
in all aspects,” he said. “The team was
much smaller back then but has grown
alongside our sales, as well as through the
acquisition of BKC and RotaLube. Over
the years, we have greatly enhanced our
systems’ capabilities, with even more
opportunities for improvement ahead.
We have a very good team at FB Chain,
who have been open to change and
improvements, which has contributed to
the success at FB Chain.”
Beyond employment, FB Chain actively
supports local education and business.
It collaborates with North Hertfordshire
College as well as Oaklands College
to inspire students about careers in
engineering and manufacturing. The
company also prioritises working with
local suppliers such as nearby Aztec
Logistics and contributes to numerous
charities and community projects such
as the Northhill CE Academy Reading
Scheme.
A modern, sustainable future
In 2017, FB Chain moved from Jubilee
Road to a purpose-built facility on Works
Road, designed in collaboration with
the Letchworth Heritage Foundation.
Efficiency and sustainability are built into
the design, with features such as skylights
to reduce lighting needs, automatic roll-up
doors to prioritise health and safety, and
EV charging points.
“Our purpose-built facility was designed
with efficiency and wellbeing in mind.
Even the building’s orientation on the plot
was carefully planned to maximise natural
sunlight throughout the day. We wanted to
build not just a greener facility, but a wellfunctioning and comfortable environment
where people enjoy working and spending
time,” explained Managing Director Peter
Church.
A celebration of legacy and evolution
To mark this significant milestone, FB
Chain reflects on the achievements of
its 40 years in business and the valuable
contributions of its long-serving team
members, such as our Chief Financial and
Operating Officer (CFOO) Karen Barton,
who has completed 30 years of service.
“Our 40th anniversary is a celebration of
the people who have driven our success
–our employees, customers, and local
partners. We’re proud of our roots in
Letchworth and remain committed to
driving innovation and supporting our
community,” Church said.
Former Director Jim Cameron added:
“Seeing how FB Chain has evolved over
the years is incredible. Our ability to stay
ahead of industry needs while maintaining
a strong local presence has been the key
to our success.”
As FB Chain looks to the future, it
continues to invest in cutting-edge
technology and sustainability initiatives,
ensuring it remains a leader in the industry
while contributing to the prosperity of
Letchworth and beyond.
Find out more at fbchain.com
biz4Biz.org
25
