We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news from last night’s SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards, held at the stunning Cheltenham Town Hall. Now in its fifth year, the event celebrated the very best businesses and organisations across the county — and TBS Engineering took centre stage!

We were honoured to be finalists in two prestigious categories:

• Innovative Business of the Year
• Apprentice of the Year 2025 (for our very own Kobe Pope)

And we’re absolutely delighted to announce that:

 – TBS Engineering won Innovative Business of the Year 2025

 – Kobe Pope was Highly Commended for Apprentice of the Year!

This recognition truly puts TBS on the map locally, showcasing our expertise, innovation, and the incredible talent within our team.

Our submission for Innovative Business of the Year was built around the groundbreaking EPL (Enhanced Plate Loader) case study, presented by Steve Sharpe.

“The EPL has revolutionised factory floor efficiency and worker wellbeing in the automotive battery manufacturing sector. By pioneering a semi-automated module for cell-building machines, TBS has reduced handling time from 10 seconds to just 2.5 seconds, positively impacting over 8,000 workers worldwide.”

This innovation has not only transformed productivity and safety but has also sparked strong demand and growth opportunities for TBS globally — achievements that clearly impressed the judges.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved in the EPL project, to Kobe for his fantastic recognition, and to every member of the TBS team who continues to push the boundaries of engineering innovation.

Together, we’re shaping the future of manufacturing — and last night, that dedication shone brightly on the Cheltenham stage.

At TBS, we are proud to see our apprentices thrive and achieve recognition for their dedication, skills, and hard work. This year, two of our apprentices, Oliver Richings and Hannah Kingdon, were celebrated at the prestigious Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET) Presentation Evening Awards.

Oliver Richings was shortlisted in two categories: Best Overall Miller Apprentice and Apprentices’ Apprentice of the Year – Barnwood. These nominations reflect his outstanding commitment and performance throughout his training.

Hannah Kingdon received nominations for Best Overall Turner Apprentice and Best Overall CNC Apprentice. She went on to win both Best Overall Fitter Apprentice and Apprentices’ Apprentice of the Year – Forest of Dean, showcasing her exceptional skill and work ethic.

These award-winning achievements highlight not only the talent and drive of Oliver and Hannah but also the value of apprenticeships in shaping the next generation of engineering professionals.

For over 11 years, TBS has worked alongside GET to support apprentices in building long-lasting careers. Many of our past apprentices are still part of our team today, continuing to grow and contribute to our success.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Oliver and Hannah for their remarkable accomplishments — they are a true credit to themselves, TBS, and the wider engineering community.

Keep an eye out for our 2026 apprenticeship programme, where we will be welcoming a new group of aspiring engineers to begin their journey with TBS.

TBS Italy Aftermarket Hub Now Open – Serving Europe Faster & Better

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new EU spare parts distribution hub in Italy, which officially opened on 2nd September 2025. This major investment strengthens our aftermarket support across Europe, ensuring our partners and customers benefit from faster, more reliable service.

What this means for our customers:

– Reduced lead times – quicker delivery of spare parts across Europe

– Improved reliability – stock positioned closer to your operations

– Minimised downtime – critical components available when you need them most

– Seamless service – part of our global commitment to aftersales support

This hub is a key step in our mission to keep your equipment performing at its best, providing greater reliability, efficiency, and peace of mind.

For more information, contact us at: [email protected]

We are pleased to announce that Sonia Martinez, currently General Manager of the TBS Aftermarket Hub in Monterrey, Mexico, will now also be leading our TBS USA Aftermarket Hub, Kutztown Pennsylvania.

Sonia brings with her extensive industry experience, with many years of management and procurement expertise. Throughout her career, she has delivered measurable results in cost savings, risk reduction, and vendor negotiations. She is recognised for her ability to build strategic alliances that create long-term value, while establishing and maintaining strong supplier relationships grounded in integrity, collaboration, and quality service. Her focus on developing sustainable agreements has consistently supported both organisational goals and client needs.

With Sonia’s proven leadership and commitment to operational excellence, our customers can feel confident that process and customer management will remain at the forefront of our service delivery. Under her guidance, we will continue to provide a robust and consistent service experience for our valued customers across Mexico and North America.

We’re proud to announce that TBS has been shortlisted in two categories at the Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 — Most Innovative Business of the Year and Apprentice of the Year.

Now in its fifth year, the Gloucestershire Business Awards powered by SoGlos, celebrates the very best businesses across the county, from bold start-ups to top 100 industry leaders. With entries judged by an expert panel of over 20 headline and category sponsors, being shortlisted in two highly competitive categories is an incredible achievement for our team.

Most Innovative Business of the Year
This award recognises businesses that have implemented a bold and forward-thinking process, product or service to disrupt their sector, and we’re thrilled that our enhanced plate loader has earned us this recognition.

Developed by our talented design and engineering team, the enhanced plate loader has transformed a legacy manufacturing process, improving health, safety, and automation standards across a system impacting over 8,000 workers globally.

A special thank you goes to Steve Sharpe, Group Technical Director, and the entire TBS design team for their outstanding technical ingenuity and people-first approach to industrial innovation.

Apprentice of the Year
We’re also incredibly proud to see Kobe Pope shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year.
This award celebrates apprentices who go above and beyond in their roles while showing exceptional commitment to professional development, and Kobe is a shining example of that standard.

Throughout his apprenticeship, Kobe has demonstrated continuous growth — progressing from hands-on work on the factory floor to becoming a vital member of the Engineering Design team. His contributions to automating design processes and advancing our new Bill of Materials system have delivered real, measurable impact to the business.

“Kobe has shown exceptional professional growth during his apprenticeship, progressing from hands-on factory floor skills to becoming a key member of the Engineering Design team.”

Simon Britton, Engineering Manager

We’d also like to thank Simon Britton and Darren White for their invaluable support in Kobe’s nomination.

Looking Ahead
With the final stage of judging still to come, we’re incredibly honoured to be recognised alongside some of the best businesses and individuals in Gloucestershire.

We look forward to attending the awards celebration evening later this year, where the winners will be revealed in true SoGlos style — at a unique venue surrounded by industry peers, finalists, and partners.

Thank you to everyone at TBS who made this possible. Let’s keep pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and celebrating every success along the way.

TBS Engineering Embarks on 22 Mile (35km) Charity Battery Walk to Honor Viv Empson & Support Breast Cancer Now

On May 14, 2025, the TBS Engineering team will take on a 22-mile (35km) challenge, walking from Windsor Street, Elmstone Hardwicke, Staverton, Lansdown, Cheltenham to TBS HQ in Brockworth, Gloucester, UK—retracing the company’s history while carrying a lead acid battery produced on TBS equipment, every step of the way. This event is being held in memory of Viv Empson, a respected and much-loved member of the TBS family, while also raising £20,000 for Breast Cancer Now, a charity dedicated to life-saving research and support for those affected by breast cancer.

Honouring Viv Empson – A Trailblazer & Leader

This year’s walk is dedicated to Viv Empson, TBS’s former HR and Finance Director, who passed away from breast cancer five years ago.

Viv joined TBS Engineering in 1989, when the company was still based in terraced houses on Windsor Street, Cheltenham. Over the course of 31 years, she helped shape the company’s culture and expansion, playing a key role in its transformation from a small local engineering firm into a global leader in battery manufacturing automation.

Viv was a pioneer, known for her leadership and progressive vision. She was the first woman to wear trousers to a TBS interview, setting a precedent for change in a company that, at the time, was steeped in tradition. She believed that success was built on investing in people and doing the right thing—values that continue to drive TBS Engineering today.

Her career at TBS spanned five changes of ownership, and she was pivotal in helping the company navigate each new chapter. She played a key role in establishing TBS’s apprenticeship programs, now in its 11^th year ensuring that future generations of engineers had the skills and support they needed to succeed. Viv was passionate about mentorship, innovation, and employee well-being, shaping the way TBS operates to this day.

To honour her impact, TBS established the Vivienne Empson Award, which is presented annually to employees who demonstrate the same dedication, teamwork, and enthusiasm that Viv brought to the company every day.

This year, we take her legacy one step further, walking in her memory and raising funds for a cause that was close to her heart.

Walking Through History – Retracing TBS’s Journey

The 22-mile route represents a 56-year journey through time, reflecting the growth of TBS Engineering:

• From a small workshop in Cheltenham to a state-of-the-art HQ in Brockworth.
• From a UK-based operation to a global business serving 90+ countries.
• From a local engineering firm to an industry leader in battery automation.

This walk is a celebration of where we started, where we are, and where we’re going. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a cause that impacts millions of people and their families every year.

Our employees are excited to take part in this group challenge and are encouraged to set their own personal goals to help raise funds toward our target. Jon Curtis, TBS Finance Director, has already kicked off his fundraising efforts and begun training for the Brighton Marathon in April. In addition to the marathon, he will also be participating in the Battery Walk.

Join Us in Making a Difference

• Donate – Every contribution brings us closer to a future without breast cancer CLICK >>DONATE HERE
• Sponsor – Businesses can support the cause through branding opportunities on T-shirts, PR materials, and social media.
• Spread the Word – Share our journey and help us reach our £20,000 goal.

Breast Cancer Now: The Research and Support Charity

At Breast Cancer Now, world-class research drives life-changing care. The charity provides vital support for anyone affected by breast cancer—from diagnosis through treatment and beyond—offering help today and hope for the future.

By 2050, Breast Cancer Now believes that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live—and be supported to live well. But achieving this goal requires action today.

That’s why TBS Engineering is proud to support their mission through the TBS Charity Battery Walk 2025, raising funds to drive progress, fund research, and provide life-saving support for those who need it most.

For media enquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or to get involved, please contact:
[email protected]

TBS proudly announces a progressive step forward in lead acid energy storage technology with the unveiling of its new electrode manufacturing line, TBS ActivMat, part of the TBS Advance Energy Equipment Alliance. This alliance, comprising of TBS Engineering, Ltd, H&T Produktions Technologie, GmbH, and Pinco SA, is dedicated to optimising plate manufacturing process control through enhanced parameter management leading to better performing, higher quality, more efficient and sustainable plates.

Alliance Overview:

The partnership between TBS, H&T, and Pinco is driven by a shared commitment to exceed industry demands for continuous, disruptive, and lower-cost solutions that lead to higher energy density in lead acid energy storage. This multi-year collaboration through its expanded and synchronised portfolio of leading-edge equipment has focused on addressing one of the most significant challenges in the lead acid manufacturing industry: optimising for linear process dependency to produce energy storage products with superior energy density, improved cycle life, better quality, greater efficiency, and enhanced sustainability.

“Innovation thrives through collaboration. By partnering in an alliance with Pinco and H&T, we unlock new potentials and drive forward together, turning visionary ideas into groundbreaking realities”. Shep Gerrish, Vice President of TBS Engineering Ltd Electrodes and Formation.

Innovative Approach:

The alliance’s “building block” strategy targets the core components of energy storage: active material electrode sets, and the technologies used to create them. Recognising that traditional methods and supply chain processes constrain the full potential of lead acid chemistry, the alliance has embarked on a path of simplification, integration, optimisation, and scalability. This collaborative effort is paving the way for groundbreaking technological advancements and long-term performance improvements in energy storage.

Unmatched Expertise:

The strength of the TBS Advanced Energy Equipment Alliance lies in its combined technical and manufacturing expertise, honed over years in the lead acid industry and other challenging markets. By merging lead acid chemistry and manufacturing know-how with innovative breakthroughs from other sectors, the alliance has developed cutting-edge equipment, processes, and technologies ready to revolutionise lead acid energy storage.

Global Reach:

The alliance’s impact is amplified by its expanding global footprint in sales, service, and aftermarket support, with operations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. This extensive reach ensures that customers worldwide can benefit from the alliance’s innovative solutions and unparalleled support.

Strategic Support:

A key pillar of the alliance’s success is access to capital and strategic management from TBS’s parent company, Marmon Industries, a Berkshire Hathaway-owned entity. This backing provides the financial strength and strategic oversight necessary to drive innovation and growth.

 

Launching TBS ActivMat:

Setting the Standard for Excellence in High-Performance Active Material.

With the introduction of TBS ActivMat, alongside TBS’s offerings in Strip Casting and Rotary Expander line, TBS, in collaboration with its alliance partners, is set to deliver comprehensive solutions to the market. The complete TBS ActivMat range will include a Servo Spindle Press, Continuous Paste Mixer, Continuous Paster, Flash Dryer, and Curing Chambers, establishing a new standard in plate manufacturing.

“Exciting times ahead for TBS and our partners! Our new technologies in platemaking, paired with our market-leading assembly equipment, reinforce our commitment to the lead-acid battery industry. We’re empowering customers to cut costs with advanced automation and sustainable solutions.” Richard Taylor Group MD of TBS Engineering Ltd

TBS Commitment:

TBS continuously innovates and evolves from building long-lasting relationships with customers and listening to what they need from their global partner. TBS Engineering designs, develops, and manufactures cutting-edge battery manufacturing equipment, parts, and services that maximise throughput, process control, quality, sustainability and safety, while minimsing downtime, labour, and waste.

This results in increased sales, profitability, and return on investment for customers.

We offer the best equipment, technology, and aftermarket services, providing a full 360 customer experience like no other. With this, TBS Engineering will become the ‘Advanced Energy Solutions’ provider of the future in lead acid manufacturing.

For further information email: [email protected]

Gloucester based TBS Engineering is encouraging more young people to get involved in the engineering industry by expanding the intake on the tenth anniversary of its apprenticeship scheme.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 February), TBS is showcasing its successful apprenticeship scheme which aims to help more young people get into the engineering industry.

This year’s theme is “Skills for Life” – reflecting how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future. 

TBS Engineering, located at Gloucester Business Park in Brockworth, is recruiting up to six new apprentices to help drive the company’s growth, with an open day set to take place on 22 February. 

Since its inception in 2013, the scheme has seen nine apprentices successfully complete the full programme, taking on permanent positions at TBS as Machinists, Design Engineers, Technicians and in Supervisory roles. The apprentices have had to opportunity to travel internationally to assist customer installations, along with one transferring to the US. A further seven apprentices are currently progressing through the programme in years 1-4. 

The four-year engineering and manufacturing apprenticeship begins with an initial year full time at Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET), a specialist training facility for the Engineering sector, that TBS has partnered since 2015. GET then support years 2-4 through day release and work-based assessments. 

TBS is committed to investing in talent, showing the next generation that manufacturing and engineering are growing, innovative industries they can be part of and prosper in. The company will also be developing links with local schools to increase awareness of apprenticeships and its presence as a local employer. 

Managing Director, David Longney at TBS Engineering said: “I started my working life as an engineering apprentice, so I know first-hand that apprenticeships are a fantastic way for people to earn while they learn in a professional and hands-on environment. I’m proud that our scheme has created a stream of successful and skilled individuals who have gone into permanent positions, giving them skills for life.” 

For more information and to book your place on the Apprentice Open Day go to https://www.tbseng.co.uk/contact/apprenticeships/. 

About TBS

TBS Engineering is the world leader in producing automated machinery for the lead acid battery industry. TBS develops and supplies machines that go on to produce millions of batteries that power the world’s biggest names in automotive engineering. 

For more information, please contact: 

Megan Tidbury

[email protected]