STARTING on the Yorkshire coast in 1935 with one man and his family’s milk van, Dale Power Solutions has grown to an internationally operating standby power supplier with a 250 strong team of staff.

Entering as Large Business of the Year and Best Business and Higher Education Link, the Scarborough-based firm has achieved growth in a number of areas across the last year.

As well as opening a sales and service office in Hemel Hempstead to meet an increasing demand for services in the south, Dale Power Solutions has signed an agreement with worldwide manufacturer of standard diesel generators, Cummins, to become their dedicated UK low kva generator dealer.

On the back of the deal Dale Power acquired Swan Generators, bringing additional expertise and hundreds of customers to the firm.

Daniel Todd, marketing assistant at Dale Power said: "We don’t wait for innovation, we reach out and grasp it.

"Engineering has so much to offer the world, and we’re determined to always be at the forefront of inspirational innovation.

"From regenerative uninterruptible power supplies for offshore oil rigs, or containerised generators able to maintain maximum efficiency in the heat of the Saharan, innovation is at our forefront of our determination to provide state-of-the-art power systems and service to customers around the world."

The company has a strong ethos for providing lifetime career paths, particularly through apprenticeships, with the firm's own chief executive Tim Wilkins starting his career in the company as an electrical engineering apprentice.

Dale Power Solutions participates in various careers events with students and teachers, including holding work experience placements, careers and apprenticeship presentations, education events and company tours to promote links between education and industry.

Dale has also sponsored and supported Scarborough Engineering Week since it was established four years ago, and has developed close relationships with local institutes and education providers, including Derwent Training, Scarborough Sixth Form, University of Hull, Graham School, Scalby School, Malton School, Pindar School, St Catherine’s Hospice and Scarborough Borough Council.

Mr Todd said: "All of these career and apprenticeship events are in aid of inspiring the next generation of engineers as well as female engineers. Natasha Pitts is one of our Higher Apprentices and she has won several regional and national awards for her efforts."