60 Years in Control: The Bensons Story

In 2026, Bensons celebrates 60 years since D Benson (Controls) Ltd was formally incorporated in 1966. Our wider story began in 1961, when Yorkshire businessman Donald Benson started supplying oil gauges, rotary cup burners and controls to the heating industry. Five years later, formal incorporation marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Since then, Bensons has grown from a small family business into a leading UK designer and manufacturer of bespoke control panels and systems. Technologies, markets and manufacturing methods have changed significantly, but our commitment to quality, innovation and customer service has remained constant.

As we celebrate this milestone, we look back at the people, investments and projects that have shaped our journey, and forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.

1966 - Establishing our home

D Benson (Controls) Ltd was formally incorporated in 1966 and moved into purpose-built premises in Normanton shortly afterwards.

The original 255m² building gave a growing team a dedicated base from which to design and manufacture high-quality electrical control panels. As demand increased, the site was extended to 465m² in 1971, expanding our manufacturing capability and allowing us to support a broader customer base.

Normanton remains our home today, although both the site and the technology inside it have evolved considerably over the past six decades.

1970s - Innovation drives growth

During the 1970s, Bensons established a reputation for engineering excellence by embracing new technologies and applying them to practical customer challenges.

The business adopted frequency inverters and developed advanced Form 4 motor control centres, strengthening our ability to produce increasingly sophisticated solutions. This willingness to invest, adapt and innovate became a defining feature of the company and remains central to how we work today.

Mid-1980s - A new generation

In the mid-1980s, Bernard Barton succeeded founder Don Benson as Managing Director. The transition brought a new generation of family leadership while retaining the experience and values on which the business had been built.

The Normanton facility expanded again, reaching 847m². At the same time, Bensons recognised the potential of Combined Heat and Power technology. Moving into the CHP market opened the door to new sectors and laid the foundations for decades of work in distributed and cleaner energy systems.

1985-1987 - Investing in quality

Bensons was an early adopter of Computer Aided Design, introducing CAD into its engineering process during the 1980s.

In 1987, the company achieved BS5750 quality certification, the predecessor to ISO 9001. These developments strengthened consistency, accuracy and control throughout the design and manufacturing process.

This growing capability helped Bensons secure prestigious projects including Harrogate Conference Centre and Knostrop Water Treatment Works, further strengthening our reputation for dependable engineering and high-quality delivery.

1990s - Delivering landmark projects

As the company expanded, Bensons began supplying control panels for increasingly high-profile and technically demanding projects.

Our work during the decade included Ponds Forge in Sheffield, built for the 1991 World Student Games, and water rides at Universal Studios in Orlando. These projects demonstrated the flexibility of our engineering expertise and helped the business build experience across leisure, building management and complex automated systems.

To meet growing demand, the Normanton factory was extended by a further 227m², creating additional capacity for larger and more complex projects.

2001-2006 - Investing in manufacturing

Keith Williams became Managing Director in 2001 and continued the company’s focus on advanced manufacturing technology.

The introduction of CNC machining and in-house laser engraving improved efficiency, repeatability, quality and control. Bringing more of the manufacturing process in-house also reduced reliance on subcontractors and gave our team greater control over project timescales.

This capability supported landmark projects including Wembley Stadium and Westfield Shopping Centre. It also established an approach that continues today, combining skilled engineering with carefully selected manufacturing technology.

2018 onwards - Family leadership and a fresh identity

In 2018, the company returned to full family ownership as Helen Culloden became Managing Director, joined by her brother Matthew Barton.

Together, they brought an in-depth understanding of Bensons’ culture, customers and technical capabilities. Their leadership combined respect for the company’s heritage with a clear focus on future investment and growth.

A fresh Bensons Control Panels identity followed as the business entered a new decade, reflecting our specialist expertise and modern approach to engineering solutions while retaining the values customers had trusted for generations.

2019-2025 - Investing in people and sustainability

The next stage of the Bensons story placed even greater emphasis on people, skills and responsible growth.

Our apprenticeship scheme was relaunched to help develop the next generation of engineers. In 2024, it received the Engineering Apprenticeships: Excellent Employer kitemark. Regular employee engagement surveys, individual development plans and company-wide training in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement have supported the development of the wider team.

We also expanded our sustainability work through energy-efficient upgrades, electric vehicles, solar power and the publication of our first carbon footprint analysis. This progress contributed to Bensons being nominated for a Make UK Energy and Sustainability Award in 2025.

In 2024, a major renovation of the building created an improved environment for collaboration, team development and downtime. These investments reflect a simple belief: strong engineering depends on skilled people working in the right environment.

You can find out more about the people behind Bensons and our approach to training and development.

2026 and beyond - Engineering the future

Today, Bensons continues to evolve alongside our customers and the sectors they serve.

We remain committed to delivering outstanding bespoke control panel solutions across building management, leisure, manufacturing and clean energy. From EV charging infrastructure and commercial solar farms to distributed energy and emerging hydrogen technologies, our team continues to apply six decades of experience to new engineering challenges.

Although the applications and technology will continue to change, the values underpinning our work remain the same. We are proud of our heritage and products, caring towards our customers, colleagues and suppliers, dedicated to innovation and our community, and united as a team.