Econ Engineering, the UK’s leading manufacturer of winter maintenance and highways vehicles, has donated £15,000 to three Men’s Sheds located near its Ripon HQ and depots in Alloa and Cardiff.
The UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) is a charity dedicated to creating spaces where people can connect, share skills, and work on practical projects in a friendly, relaxed environment.
Recognising the immense benefits of Men’s Sheds, Econ Engineering has given a £5,000 contribution directly to Men’s Sheds in Ripon, Alloa and Cardiff to support their ongoing initiatives.
Colin Trewhitt, factory manager personally delivered the donation to the Ripon Men’s Shed. Colin, who has worked at Econ since leaving school, was inspired to support the charity after learning about its positive impact from two former colleagues, Richard Thompson and Tom Gerry, who joined the Men’s Shed community following their retirement.
The Ripon Men’s Shed aims to improve physical and mental health by offering a welcoming workshop where members can forge friendships, share life experiences, and develop new skills. The £5,000 donation will help fund the construction of a new workshop in Ripon, enabling the group to expand its activities.
In Cardiff, the funds will be used to rent a container, providing a dedicated base for the project. Meanwhile, in Alloa, the Forth Valley Men’s Shed plans to use the donation to secure a new premises, supporting its growth and sustainability.
Colin Trewhitt, factory manager, added: “At Econ, we are proud to support Men’s Sheds across the UK, with donations of £5,000 each. We’ve seen first-hand the incredible impact these Sheds have on local communities, providing a place where people can come together, share skills, and combat loneliness.
“Having learned about the vital role Sheds play in strengthening community ties, we felt it was important to help them continue this valuable work. We hope these contributions will make a meaningful difference and help each Shed thrive.”
Rob Lloyd, chair of UKMSA, added: “We are thrilled about Econ Engineering’s generous support for the Men’s Shed movement. It recognises the enormous difference Men’s Sheds can make to both their members and surrounding community. These grants will have a lasting, positive impact on all branches.”
Family-run Econ Engineering is the UK’s leading manufacturer of winter and highway maintenance vehicles. Recently, the company launched the E-QCB, the first fully electric model of its kind.
