Beck & Pollitzer Engineering is celebrating 150 years in business.

The Dartford-based machinery installation and relocation firm is hosting a special VIP ceremony today (14) with guests from around the world gathering at the Burnham Road headquarters.

Founded in London in 1863 by John Beck and Sigismund Pollitzer as a transport and warehousing business, it moved to Dartford in 1968. After being run by three generations of the Pollitzer family, it was sold to the Transport Development Group (TDG) in 1961.

It was later sold in a management buyout backed by Schroder Ventures and has had several investors since then. It is now supported by Bridgepoint which injected £55 million in 2007.

Beck & Pollitzer operates across Europe, especially in Russia, Poland, Germany, France, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Romania. It also operates in Turkey and has recently expanded into India. Overseas earnings account for some 45% of the firm’s £70 million turnover.
Beck & Pollitzer can boast a host of Blue Chip clients. “We’re the guys who fit out the Nissan or Toyota factory, from the building work finishing to when production starts,” said chief executive Tony Percival. Other clients include BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Nestle, Schindler and Rolls-Royce.

The company offers total project management. “We try to be all things to all men rather than a real specialist in one sector or one industry,” says Mr Percival, adding that geographical and industrial spread of activity had helped the company do well during recession.

Mr Percival puts the firm’s longevity down to customer service and “going the extra mile.” It’s a bit like moving house. It’s a stressful time. It’s something unusual for them and they want someone to take the problems away. That’s our job.”

He added: “There are very few companies in the UK or indeed Europe today which can celebrate both the longevity and financial success that Beck & Pollitzer has enjoyed. Our achievements are directly attributable to our highly skilled workforce as well as our fantastic customers and I’d like to thank them for their continuing support and commitment.”

Looking ahead, Mr Percival said he expected the firm to “stick to the knitting” while continuing to push into new markets. “We will go where our customers invest. India is our latest stop on the map because our customers are going there.”