Penny Engineering appoints Tim Penny MD as Robin Penny becomes Board Chairman
This summer, Tim Penny has stepped into the role of Managing Director at Penny Engineering. His brother, Robin Penny, who has guided the company for more than a decade as the previous Managing Director, will move into the position of Chairman of the Board.
As we make this transition, we’re proud to recognise the progress achieved under Robin’s leadership and confident in the direction Tim will take the company next.
Celebrating Robin Penny’s Leadership
Robin joined Penny Engineering – then Penny Hydraulics – in 1989 after starting his career with the National Coal Board in mining operations. He first led the newly formed Cellar Lift division before becoming Production Director. In 2013, following the death of his brother John, he stepped into the role of Managing Director.
Although becoming Managing Director was not a path he had previously anticipated, Robin embraced the responsibility with dedication and purpose. He has focused on the people at the heart of the business, spending time with different teams, encouraging open discussion, and helping employees develop their skills. This collaborative approach has become a defining part of our culture.
New Ways of Working
Under Robin’s leadership, the business broadened its capabilities from manufacturing, installation, and servicing into full bespoke design. When he became Managing Director, we had no design engineering resource; today, we have a growing team using advanced CAD systems to justify and refine products before fabrication.
Robin also made the strategic decision to bring sales and marketing in-house – a bold step for a small engineering company with one major customer at the time. That team now plays a vital role in helping us reach customers across a wide range of sectors in the UK and beyond.
Our entry into nuclear decommissioning also began during Robin’s tenure, with a combined Cellar Lift / Swing Lift system created for Sellafield that outperformed competitor solutions in both speed and cost. In the same period, we also secured ISO 9001 accreditation, amongst others, reflecting our commitment to high-quality processes and management systems.
Sustainability
Sustainability has been a core focus for Robin. In 2014, we installed solar panels and now generate around 50% of our own electricity. We have since invested in computer-controlled heating, LED lighting, energy-efficient equipment, state-of-the-art insulation, and a transition to electric company vehicles. Today, none of our waste goes to landfill.
These decisions reflect our belief that businesses must take responsibility for their environmental impact, and that practical action leads to ongoing benefits for both the company and our community.
Investing in Young People
A strong advocate for early-career development, Robin served as Engineer in Residence at Sheffield Hallam University. Penny Engineering continues to maintain a long-standing recruitment and knowledge-transfer partnership with the university, giving students hands-on experience and helping shape the policies that ensure these programmes run effectively.
Apprenticeships have also grown under Robin, and today around 10% of our workforce consists of apprentices at every stage from Level 2 to degree level. Several graduates have built successful careers here, including one who joined on placement, stayed through a Master’s degree, and is now a General Manager and Chartered Engineer.
Community Engagement
As one of the largest employers in Clowne, Penny Engineering takes pride in supporting the local community. We work closely with nearby schools, offering visits, work placements, and mock interviews to help young people prepare for their future careers.
Robin has been a champion for local heritage and community projects, including the Clowne History Group’s work, the Clowne to Creswell Greenway, the partial restoration of Clowne Station, sponsorship of local sports teams, and continuous support for Ashgate Hospice.
Awards and Achievements
During Robin’s tenure, Penny Engineering was shortlisted for and won multiple regional awards, including recognition from the East Midlands Chamber. A defining moment came in March 2022, when the company received the Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Lifting Equipment Manufacturers and Engineers.
This achievement reflected not only product excellence but the culture Robin has championed: innovation, adaptability, and a willingness to tackle the engineering challenges other businesses couldn’t solve.
Introducing Tim Penny’s New Leadership and Vision
Tim joined Penny Engineering – then Penny Hydraulics – in 2004 after a 15-year career managing large-scale chilled-food logistics networks. He became Service Director in 2006, shaping a high-performing service operation that remains central to our reputation today. After many years working closely with Robin at board level, Tim will now take on the role of Managing Director.
As Tim steps into this position, customers and staff can expect continuity. We have restructured the business to distribute responsibility across our General Managers rather than appoint a direct replacement for his Service Director role. This reflects our confidence in the strength and capability of our leadership team.
New Products, Digital Growth, and Global Reach
Tim’s focus for the years ahead is to strengthen our product portfolio and extend our international reach. We have the expertise, reputation, and track record to compete at the highest level.
Key future developments that Tim is overseeing include:
- A new crane and goods lift to complement existing ranges
- Three specialist collaborations in the nuclear sector
- A new Sidetracker forklift designed to outperform anything else on the market
- Targeted investment in production and operational progression
Tim also sees a significant opportunity for growth across continental Europe. With trusted distributor relationships in place and expanding, the focus is on increasing the visibility of our products in markets where we know they can lead. The ambition is clear: to replicate our UK success on a global scale.
Internally, a strategic digital review is underway to streamline processes and modernise systems across the business. Many SMEs still rely on disconnected tools, and we want to be a step ahead – integrated, efficient, and equipped for future growth.
The Next Phase of Sustainability
Tim’s sustainability vision builds on the foundation Robin established. Our “buy it for life” philosophy – servicing, maintaining, and remanufacturing equipment to extend product life – reduces waste and lowers customers’ environmental impact. Backward compatibility remains a defining feature of our products: parts designed for lifts today still fit models produced in 1989.
As businesses face increasing pressure to operate sustainably, Penny Engineering’s lifecycle support and long-term service model offer a clear competitive advantage. Tim also sees potential in exploring future leasing models, reducing unnecessary purchases and allowing older units to be rebuilt or reused rather than scrapped.
Growing Future Talent and Community Partnerships
Tim will continue to nurture relationships with Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield, Chesterfield College, Derby University, and local schools. These partnerships help shape our future talent pipeline and give young people practical insights, confidence, and opportunities within engineering.
Last summer, we welcomed eight work-experience students, many of whom have since moved into apprenticeships or further placements with us. We expect to expand these opportunities again next year as we continue to invest in early-career development and support a skilled local workforce.
With Thanks to Sir David Walker
Before Robin, the role of Chairman was held by Sir David Walker MA – a long-standing family friend, the godfather of Robin and Tim’s older brother John, and one of the first students from Chesterfield School to attend Queens’ College, Cambridge.
Sir David has held senior positions at major financial institutions, including Chairman of Barclays and Executive Director at the Bank of England. He brought decades of strategic experience to Penny Engineering when he joined the board in 2018.
His guidance on succession planning, long-term vision, and governance has been invaluable to the team and business. Robin and Tim credit him with helping Penny Engineering prepare for its next era of growth.
Looking Ahead: A Message from Robin and Tim
Robin Penny, Chairman of the Board, said: “The business is in an excellent position for the next decade. We have the right structures, the right expertise, and the right people. My focus now is to protect our values and ensure our decisions support the long-term direction of the company. Innovation, quality, and clear strategy will continue to guide us forward.”
Tim Penny, Managing Director, said: “Robin and I share the same vision for Penny Engineering. This transition is an evolution rather than a change of course. We’re well placed to take advantage of the opportunities ahead, and I look forward to Robin’s ongoing support and guidance. Our job now is to build on everything the business has achieved and take it confidently into the next 10 years.”
The History of Penny Engineering
1950s and 60s – Foundations
John Penny Snr began the family’s engineering journey with Hydraulic Services, working out of a Ford Anglia van and servicing hydraulic roof supports in coal mines. His practical approach and growing reputation led to a small team, new premises in Eckington, and a broadening of hydraulic service work – from aircraft undercarriages to trolley jacks.
Did you know? Penny Engineering’s signature orange dates back to this period. Epco’s trolley jacks had to be sprayed in a specific shade of orange, and it often became the default colour in the spray booth. The colour stuck, becoming part of our identity.
1970s – A New Start
After selling the first business, John Snr founded Penny Hydraulics Limited, again focused on mining roof supports. They became the approved service centre for Dowty and took over the manufacture of their range of mining pit props. As the coal industry declined, John pushed the company to diversify, recognising the need for a more sustainable future.
1980 – The Second Generation
In 1980, John’s son, John Penny Jr, joined the business after leaving his position as a mechanical engineer with the National Coal Board. Together, they developed the vehicle-mounted crane – an idea sparked by a homemade lifting device spotted by a family friend. This became the basis for the Swing Lift range. The company earned a reputation for tackling unusual lifting challenges, often those that no one else could solve.
1980s to 2000s – Expanding the Product Range
With the arrival of John’s second son, Robin Penny, in 1989 – also joining from the National Coal Board – the business branched into beer cellar hoists after a special request from Bass Brewers. The resulting Cellar Lift range quickly became standard across major pub companies.
At the same time, the company entered nuclear decommissioning with a combined Cellar Lift / Swing Lift system developed for Sellafield. It outperformed previous competitor solutions in both speed and cost, giving Penny Hydraulics a strong opening into a completely new sector.
2015 – A Third Generation Enters
With the closure of the last deep coal mine in 2015, Penny Hydraulics broadened its focus to provide full-service engineering across multiple sectors. That same year, Ed Penny – son of John Jr – joined as General Manager of the newly acquired Raising and Lowering Systems division, designing bespoke winch systems for chandeliers, lighting, artwork, and other hard-to-reach installations.
2022 – Acquiring Sidetracker
In early 2022, the company acquired Sidetracker, a specialist manufacturer of multi-directional narrow-aisle forklift trucks for long goods such as timber, pipes, and steel. The former owner remained on as General Manager, working with the Penny team to develop the product line and add capacity across the business.
2024 – A Change of Name
By 2024, hydraulic engineering accounted for just a quarter of the company’s work, prompting a rebrand from Penny Hydraulics to Penny Engineering Limited. The new name reflects an expanded portfolio spanning goods lifts, vehicle-mounted cranes, multidirectional forklifts, lighting winch systems, nuclear decommissioning equipment, and more.
Leadership Through the Years
Robin Penny became Managing Director in 2013, taking over from his late brother John Penny. His younger brother Tim Penny, who joined the company in 2004 and became Service Director in 2006, now steps into the role of Managing Director in 2025, continuing more than six decades of family-led stewardship.