Arrow Bearings was established in 1981 and was setup by Russ Arrowsmith as a Sole Trader organisation after he recognised the need for an around the clock, breakdown replacement part service to local industry.
In 1984 a double fronted shop was acquired, with offices and living accommodation, Russ and his family lived and devoted their time to serving local process companies, ensuring immediate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week cover.
In 1987 new premises of 14,500 square feet were acquired on Liverpool Street, Salford. Russ Arrowsmith took part in the Manchester Business School, business Firmstart training programme and won the Firmstart Award, then went on to win the 1st heat of Granada Televisions, Flying Start programme, for his plans of expansion and in 1988, was also presented with the Flying Start Inner Cities Award for demonstrating growth in a deprived inner city.
Estabilshment Of Arrow Engineering Ltd
In 1988, With annual sales turnover of £430K and employing 11 staff, Arrow Bearings became incorporated and Arrow Engineering Components Ltd was formed.
In 1991, with annual sales of £772K and employing 14 staff, Arrow Engineering entered the Flying Start competition with plans of opening new branches throughout the North West of England, once again winning the first heat and later being presented with the Best Business Plan award.
At the time, Flying Start was the highest cash prize,
televised business competition, similar to Dragon’s Den but with a panel of
judges, selecting heat winners, regional winners and then competing in the
Grand Final with a cash prize of £40K.
In 1994, with annual turnover of £1.15M, Arrow acquired
Express Engineering and then opened a further 4 branches throughout the North
West and North East of England.
In 2004 Arrow acquired MS90 (a specialised Gear
Manufacturer) along with 4 of their gear cutting machines. In 2006 purchased
more Gear Cutting machinery from Stockport Gears Ltd.
The investments made of over forty years in property,
machinery and staff, helped push Arrow to be one of the prominent suppliers in
the breakdown, replacement parts, bespoke manufacture and off the shelf manufactured
parts.
Major contracts have been won with large Pump Companies for
the supply of pump shafts, seal housings, Flexible Couplings and bearings.
Arrow’s biggest customer base is with the Food and drink, beverage, processing industries.
Bespoke parts are manufactured on an urgent, around the clock basis and off the
shelf parts (Bearings, Oil Seals, Flexible Couplings, Anti Vibration Mountings,
Power Transmission Drives) supplied throughout the UK and Europe.