Tel: 01604 626 266
Franklin Silencers
About the company
The history of Franklin Silencers
For over 50 years Franklin Silencers have been designing and manufacturing high quality OEM and aftermarket exhaust systems and associated fabrications to some of the country’s leading manufacturers of construction, logistics and power generation equipment.
Franklin Silencers was established by Mr RL Franklin in 1969 and employed just four members of staff and occupied a manufacturing site of just 800sq ft.
Mr GW Bateman joined the company in 1970 as works manager. The company began to build a strong customer base and had a good reputation for quality and service. With this reputation the business outgrew its original building and moved to part of the current Grafton Place site. Unfortunately, and suddenly Mr Franklin passed away in the Autumn of 1976. Over the following years Mr Bateman took over sole ownership of the business.
Company expansion
Expansion throughout the 80s and 90s
During the 80s the company continued to grow and added 7000 sq ft to the site. It was at this time the company completed a buyout of a tube manipulation company. This both increased the company turnover and range of products and expertise we were able to offer our customers.
In the 90s, with business continuing to grow, an additional 3500 sq ft of workshop space was added, and the company gained its first ISO 9001 quality management system accreditation.
Continued growth and investment
The early 2000s saw the company complete another buyout, this time a rival exhaust manufacturer and the order book steadily grew.
To facilitate this growth the business invested heavily in new machinery, CNC bending machines and a flatbed laser cutter. It was at this time the Mr GW Bateman’s sons, and current owners, were promoted to the board of directors.
Throughout the last decade the business has continued to invest in machinery, from a large diameter bending machine to CNC end forming machines. This has allowed the business to maintain its place as one of the leading manufactures in the UK.
Since the passing of Mr GW Bateman in December 2018, the business is now owned and operated by the Bateman Family, with his two sons taking leading roles within the operation of the business, Mr JA Bateman as Chairman and Company Secretary and Mr DM Bateman as Operations Director.
Below can be seen just a few aspects of Franklin Silencers' operation
