High-quality job opportunities are on offer at one of the region’s most iconic and longest-established employers. PETER BARRON goes behind the scenes at Stanley Black & Decker’s Spennymoor site

FOR more than half a century, it has been one of the most recognisable names on the industrial landscape of the North-East, with products found in every corner of the world.

Now, Stanley Black & Decker, (SBD) is looking to the future at its Spennymoor site, creating innovative new products every day, and expanding its workforce with high-quality, well-paid jobs.

Yet the scale of the County Durham operation, and its global impact, would probably surprise most people beyond the loyal 120 employees who work there. Not exactly a well-kept secret, but certainly a North-East success story that warrants greater recognition.

And what’s immediately clear from walking round the site is that it is a place driven by creativity, passionate team spirit, and a cross-generational pride that Spennymoor – and local people – are playing a key role in an international industrial institution.

Paige Walmsley, from nearby Ferryhill, is one of the most recent recruits, having joined as a junior design engineer five months ago after graduating with a mechanical engineering degree from Northumbria University. But Stanley Black & Decker has always been part of her life because her dad, Neil, has served there for nearly 40 years.

“It’s a name that means something wherever you go,” she says. “Everyone I know has got a Stanley Black & Decker product somewhere in their house, or has used one at work, and I love being part of that.”

Paige came to the site on work experience when she was 14 and 16 and, as soon as she finished university, her focus was on graduate-entry vacancies at the company.

“What’s brilliant about working here is that you’re given the freedom to be creative and think outside the box,” she adds.

Dad Neil started as an apprentice toolmaker in 1982, rose to become a senior design engineer, and is now a lead project engineer in licensing. Why has he stayed so long? “Because there have always been new opportunities to develop within the company. That keeps it fresh, and I’m delighted that Paige has now become part of such a progressive, global company.”

The company’s Spennymoor connection dates back to 1965, when the site opened and began manufacturing tools such as drills and saws, with early product successes including the Workmate in 1973, and the original Dustbuster six years later.

In 2002, manufacturing moved to Eastern Europe, but the design centre, and other professional services were retained before Black & Decker merged with Stanley in 2010 to become the world’s largest power and hand tools company.

In recent years, more than £4m has been invested in the site, which now comprises a research and development centre, a European parts distribution centre, and a national repair centre.

THE SPENNYMOOR STORY IN NUMBERS (to be used as a break-out panel)

  • 50,000+ different products distributed by Stanley Black & Decker across the world
  • 47,000 different spare parts from Spennymoor shipped all over the globe
  • 3,500+ orders per day leaving the Spennymoor site
  • 3 new products launched by Stanley Black & Decker every day
  • 50 tools sold every second across the world
  • Orders for more than 1 billion Stanley knife blades this year

The business is developing all the time, as products in the ever-changing power tools market become more accurate, digital, data-driven, and battery-powered. Brands include BLACK+DECKER, DEWALT, Craftsman, STANLEY Fatmax, Proto, Facom, and Mac Tools, while products range from miniscule ball-bearings to the Multi-Power Vacuum Cleaner.

In August, it was announced that the company had acquired the remaining 80 per cent stake in MTD Holdings for $1.6 billion. That gives Stanley Black & Decker a giant base of gas-powered mowers and trimmers. The deal created the global leader in outdoor products, with CEO Jim Loree declaring at the time: “There’s more to be had in terms of acquisitions.”

Another noteworthy feature of the Spennymoor site is that there is no general manager. Instead, there is a single-tier management collective, with a core belief that people are the company’s greatest asset.

Shaun Lovelass, Director of Electrical Engineering, is another prime example of Stanley Black & Decker’s long-standing commitment to growing its own talent, and why there is such a low staff turnover.

Shaun was born and raised in Newton Aycliffe, started with the company as an electrical apprentice when he was just 16, and has now been part of the business for 34 years.

“My dad was a joiner and was always doing DIY, using the tools that are made here. So, I grew up with the brand,” he recalls.

“This place always had a reputation as the flagship company in the area, so it was a source of great pride to get a job here. I always got a buzz when I went into a retailer and saw our products on display – and that feeling has never left me in 34 years.

“Now, I get a real kick out of bringing in fresh talent because there are so many opportunities for great careers, with the right level of support.”

Chris Garbutt, 29, is certainly getting the right support. He joined five years ago, straight from graduating in electrical electronic engineering from Teesside University. He spent the first four years as an electrical quality engineer and is now in the Electrical and Electronics Department, supporting prototypes for a wide range of products.

“Every day I’ve been in the business, I’m learning something knew. It’s the hands-on stuff that excites me and I’m working alongside people with great experience,” says Chris.

Lead Design Engineer, Jonathan Priestley, is one of those supporting Chris’s development. Jonathan joined the company as an apprentice in 1986 and says: “It’s the people and the team spirit that makes it such a great place to work. If anyone has a problem, there’s always someone ready to help.”

The company is also passionate about diversity, and aiming for gender equality among its skilled workforce.

Rachel Davison recently joined as Environmental Health and Safety and Facilities Co-ordinator, and it was her perfect role because it combines her professional specialism with her passion for home renovations.

“My dad taught me DIY skills, so I used tools that are produced here at Spennymoor,” she smiles.

“Now, I go back home and see my dad using something like a DEWALT drill, knowing it came from this site. I also follow lots of home renovation accounts on Instagram, and it’s brilliant seeing people using our products.”

Rachel came to Stanley Black & Decker from Hartlepool College of Further Education, where she also focused on health and safety and facilities. She worked at a bio-diesel plant before that, having started her career in banking.

“I’ve been here three months, but it feels a lot longer because everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Starting a new job can be daunting, but not here.”

Rachel has a 14-year-old daughter, who is hoping to follow a career path into engineering, and Stanley Black & Decker is already firmly on her radar.

Naturally, there have been challenging times along the way, but this is a positive period in the Spennymoor site’s proud history, with an ongoing expansion, partly fueled by a boom in DIY and home extensions resulting from the pandemic.

The workforce has increased by around 30 over the past year and there are current vacancies for a range of high-quality roles in all parts of the site, including:

  • Senior mechanical design engineer
  • Engineering programme manager
  • Senior industrial designer
  • 3D surfacing designer
  • Senior Firmware engineer
  • Senior electro-mechanical engineer
  • Senior electronics design engineer
  • Lead electronics design engineer

Other opportunities are in the pipeline and Peter Caine, Quality Director – another long-serving employee – believes the company is at an exciting stage.

“The world is evolving quickly, and we need to evolve with it, so there’s a big push on innovation. It’s about investing in the future, and that’s great to see,” he says.

After a track record of ingenuity spanning 55 years, it all represents a massive vote of confidence in Spennymoor as an important part a global industrial giant.