A former local authority school careers consultant has swapped the security of the public sector for manufacturing after purchasing a long-established engineering company.
Nicole Barnett, who worked for Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council for 10 years, is now operations director at Alpha Engineering Solutions in Talke.
The deal, which completed this month after a year-long process, sees Nicole and her stepfather Darren Stanley become the driving force behind the precision engineering business, which employs around 25 people and supplies components to sectors including defence, scientific, oil and gas industries.
Alpha has operated from its Talke site for almost three decades and manufactures high-precision machined parts and assemblies.
Nicole’s route into business ownership began three years ago when she purchased Pure Precision Parts from Darren while he travelled overseas.
She said: “I bought a domain, sorted a logo, set up social media and so on. The business grew so much we needed a manufacturing base. Last year we walked into Alpha and asked if they were for sale, and they were.”
The acquisition has transformed Nicole’s career and required her to learn everything from management accounts to manufacturing operations.
She said: “I have learned so much through the sale process. I don’t think I really knew how big a thing it would be.
“I have been up every night reading about the legalities and doing my due diligence. It was a steep learning curve.”
The business has secured £250,000 of sales in the past three months, invested in two new machines and refurbished staff facilities, including a new canteen area.
Nicole said attracting skilled workers remains one of the company’s biggest challenges.
She said: “We are desperate for more staff so we can start taking on more work. We are particularly looking for a machinist who can programme, set and operate the machinery. There is a skills shortage and it is very difficult to recruit.”
Despite leaving behind what she describes as a ‘comfort blanket’ in local government, Nicole believes the move was the right one.
She said: “Working for the local authority was like having a comfort blanket around me and I do miss my team. I’ve gone from having a very stable income to being a business owner and having to bring in sales to support my business, but sometimes you have to take a risk. This is where I need to be.
“I want to grow the business. I would love to see us outgrow this facility and maybe make some acquisitions too.”
Alpha directors and shareholders Max Barker and Leo Stephenson continue to be involved with the business as technical director and managing director respectively.
