B-Engineering Group

“FW Capital first supported the growth of the business in 2017 at a critical time to help the business achieve its targets, and we sought further funding in 2020 and 2021 to enable us to achieve the next stages of growth.”

Vicki Ditchfield, Director, B-engineering Group

B-Engineering Group received three rounds of funding from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund to allow the business to diversify and meet the changing needs of the mechanical services industry. 

FW Capital first supported the growth of the business in 2017 with a £100,000 loan at a critical time to help the business achieve its targets and sought further funding in 2020 and 2021 to enable them to achieve the next stages of growth.

With over 30 years’ experience B-Engineering Group is one of the leading M&E building services engineering providers in the North of England. Rob Ditchfield runs the business with his wife Vicki, where they employ 50 staff. 

Rob’s father Bernard Ditchfield established the business in 1990 with his former partner under the original business name BEmech. Recent developments include creating an electrical division in 2021 and B-eco Renewables in 2022 which has delivered a number of solar projects up to 300KW and air source heat pump systems up to 250KW. 

In 1997, Rob joined as an apprentice pipefitter where he learnt his craft and developed a vision for where he wanted to take the business. Rob worked alongside his father until 2006 when he temporarily left to further his experience and complete his degree in building services engineering. 

In 2011 Rob returned when the business had 6 staff and an annual turnover of £180,000 and began to diversify the business to deliver large mechanical projects. The business continued to grow and expanded to deliver service and maintenance of commercial gas appliances, mechanical plant and air conditioning and major mechanical projects – delivering projects of up to £2m. 

In 2022, the business rebranded as B-engineering Group to incorporate the expanded service offerings – B-elec, B-eco, B-mech projects, B-rite Air conditioning, and B-mech service and maintenance. One area of focus for the business is advising and supporting clients with their carbon reduction goals. This forms part of its journey to become a B-Corp and an ESG focused business.

The first NPIF investment phase has now completed with the British Business Bank launching the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II in March 2024.