Haslingden business director passes Rospen down to son

Grant McGeever has taken the helm at the weighing and metering specialist, taking over from his father, Tony McGeever. 

The 32-year-old, formerly technical director, is now planning to build on the success of the outgoing managing director, which has seen the business double in size over the past three years.    

Grant’s sights are firmly set on Rospen moving into a purpose-built facility from the three units it currently occupies. 

He said: “I’m delighted to take over as managing director, building on the success of my dad, Tony, who has grown Rospen to be a leading name in weighing and metering, taking on complex projects both in the UK and internationally. 

“I spent summers working at Rospen as a student and, since I joined full-time, I’ve had exposure to every area of the business, leaving me well placed to take us on to the next stage of our journey.

"We have a fantastic team around us, which has enabled us to take on a broader range of work over the last few years, and we’re growing all the time.

"We have big plans for Rospen and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve next.” 

Rospen, based at Waterside Business Park, makes powder handling equipment for manufacturers in the food, fine chemical, construction and nuclear sectors among others. 

The new managing director now has plans to expand the business, including growing the workforce to keep up with rapidly growing demand for its services. 

The manufacturing business, which was already exporting its products, has generated work in Central Europe for the first time over the past 12 months and immediate plans are to grow the customer base in this area. 

Tony McGeever joined the business, then Mass Measuring Systems, in 1988 as a project engineer, becoming a director and shareholder in the mid 1990s.

He bought the business, at this point named Rospen Industries, jointly in 2003, becoming outright owner in 2007.

Son Grant, a mechanical engineering graduate, worked at Rospen as a student before taking a job with a greenhouse manufacturer after graduation to broaden his industry experience.

He rejoined Rospen in 2014 and has worked in every area of the business since. With sister Stephanie, he played a pivotal role in guiding the business through its move from two sites in Denton and Stonehouse to its Haslingden base in 2016. 

Tony, 62, who will remain involved with the business as chairman, said: “Having Grant, my daughter Stephanie and my wife, Laura, involved in the business at one stage was the proudest moment for me.

"Grant and Stephanie were instrumental in our smooth transition from two sites to one. We’ve expanded rapidly in the last few years, guided by Grant, and, with the strong team around him, I know I’m leaving the business in great hands.”

Peter Matley, formerly EC&I manager, takes Grant’s previous role as technical director having spent the last four-and-a-half years at Rospen.

He said: “Our aim firstly is to create stability at the level of growth we’ve been seeing, and then push for further growth.”