Accu Wins Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award

Accu is delighted to announce that we have been named Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month, another prestigious recognition of our commitment to excellence, innovation and community impact. 

The accolade is a testament to our continued efforts in fostering local talent, investing in our workforce and contributing to the region's economic and social growth.

About the Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award

Established in 1995, the Eaton Smith Business of the Month award celebrates businesses demonstrating outstanding contributions to their industry and local community. Each monthly winner is automatically entered into the annual Business of the Year award, where the top businesses of the past 12 months compete for further recognition. Watch this space!

Recognised for Community and Workforce Development

Our dedication to community impact has been a key factor in winning the Business of the Month award. In early 2024, we moved into our new headquarters in Brockholes, strengthening our connection with the local community. Recognising the importance of local engagement, we have actively supported initiatives that foster long-term development.

For the second consecutive year, we proudly funded BrockFest, a local beer festival that had been dormant since 2014. The funds raised are allocated to the Brockholes Business Group, ensuring sustained community engagement and reinvestment in our home turf.

Additionally, our volunteering programme, launched in May 2023, has empowered employees to dedicate a paid day each year to charity work, benefiting local causes through hands-on support. Demi, Employee Experience Manager at Accu who spearheads our charity initiatives said:

Lastly, our partnership with Hollybank Trust, our Charity of the Year, further reflects our commitment to community betterment. Hollybank Trust provides vital support to individuals with complex disabilities and our collaboration has included fundraising activities, volunteer efforts and student work experience opportunities.

Anna O’Mahony, Chief Executive of Hollybank Trust, states:

Investing in Future Innovators

The Eaton Smith Award also recognises our investment in the next generation of engineers. Many of our team members serve as STEM ambassadors, offering online tutoring and engaging with schools, colleges and universities. Through partnerships, we provide students with career guidance, practical workshops and hands-on learning experiences.

We also run the Accu Scholarship, a biannual initiative supporting undergraduate engineering students along with sponsoring university-led engineering projects across the UK by providing essential components and technical support.

By nurturing future innovators, we contribute to the wider engineering ecosystem, ensuring long-term industry growth.

Employee-Centric Culture: A People-First Approach

Our employees, known as TeamAccu, are the foundation of our success. Over the past three years, we have expanded from 45 employees to 120, adopting a people-first approach to ensure engagement, development and well-being.

In April 2022, we introduced a four-day workweek with no reduction in salary, improving work-life balance and maintaining productivity. Our investment in talent extends to AccuAcademy, a £250,000 initiative launched in 2022 to support training, apprenticeships and professional development. Through leadership training and reskilling programmes, we ensure our employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills to propel Accu forward.

In February 2024, we moved into a 45,000 sq. ft facility, designed to enhance collaboration and employee well-being. Our office features a well-being area, games room and multifunctional event space, reinforcing our commitment to a positive work environment.

The ‘Great Place to Work’ initiative, led by TeamAccu, includes:

• A dedicated Wellbeing Room

• Complimentary refreshments and healthy snacks

• Quarterly social budgets

• Annual company-wide events, including the AccuOlympics and AccuAwards

• AccuHonours, an employee reward scheme with prizes like holidays

• Enhanced parental leave and paid volunteering days

Our focus on employee well-being has led to tangible business benefits, increasing retention rates from 75% to 89% since 2021 and boosting overall productivity per person.

Accu’s Continued Growth and Achievements

Since our formation in 2012, Accu has grown by 40% year-on-year, becoming a market leader in precision component supply. In 2024, we moved into a larger headquarters to accommodate our expanding operations. We also celebrated our King’s Award for International Trade, recognising our success in global markets.

Our dedication to quality and innovation has been acknowledged with several prestigious accolades, including Kirklees Top 100 SME 2023, Scale-Up Awards 2022 Customer Champion and UK Customer Experience Awards 2023 – Bronze for Best Digital Customer Experience to name just a few.

Looking Ahead: Future Plans & Ambitions

As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on our future objectives:

• Expanding into the US market, with plans already underway for an on-the-ground presence. 

• Enhancing local talent development through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Cornerstone Employer initiative and Teach Encounter programmes.

• Strengthening our customer experience, ensuring we remain the most loved shopping destination for engineers and innovators.

Winning the Eaton Smith Business of the Month award is a moment of pride for TeamAccu. It reaffirms our commitment to people, innovation and excellence, principles that will continue to guide us as we grow and evolve.

Here’s to many more achievements ahead!