TOM MILLER
CEO, Tow-trust Towbars
Tow-trust Towbars is a fast-growing British manufacturer based in Atherstone, north Warwickshire.
Tom Miller, CEO of this family business, says that in recent years, the company has moved into the number one spot in the UK for the production of high-quality towbars.
“I did my apprenticeship in race-car engine building and I brought the desire for very tight tolerances and precision engineering into the towbar market – it’s no longer a ‘blacksmith industry’. What we now have is a very tactile and beautiful piece of kit, it’s not the old-fashioned, dirty towbar.
“Tow-trust was the first company to have its entire towbar range fully laser-cut – that gives us less than 0.02mm tolerance, and it also gives us consistency.
“Our next technological progression will be to scan everything to ensure quality and consistency. From design, to quality control, to final inspection, it’ll all be done with scanning, just like the motor industry.
“Gone are the tape measures and calipers, everything will be scanned for accuracy, and that overlays with our CAD design. The whole quality management system – the level of traceability and quality control – is industry-leading.
“It really helps that my father made me do every single job in this factory, from the shopfloor up. He tasked me to learn, then master, every role. Then I had to look for where any improvements could be made.
There’s nothing I like more than the implementation of an improvement!
“Regarding fitting, we recommend choosing a Qs-accredited fitter. This qualification is backed by the National Trailer and Towing Association.”