Burlen Ltd, the world’s only manufacturer of genuine SU (Skinners Union), AMAL and Zenith carburetors, fuel pumps and spares, is celebrating a record-breaking 2016 and continuing to demonstrate remarkable growth. The Salisbury-based company enjoyed a hugely impressive annual turnover of £5.2 million in 2016 – smashing its previous best records and its own start-of-year target in the process.
Burlen has an incredibly rich history with products dating back over one hundred years and a stellar reputation to uphold, which is of the utmost importance to the Burnett brothers.
Since Burlen came under the control of Mark, Jamie, and Andy Burnett, the company has risen from strength to strength; 2016’s impressive results are born out of bringing the company back to basics and focusing on what it does best.
Throughout 2016, Burlen brought a large part of its machining operations in house to bring about more control over its products and more focus on what matters most to the consumer: quality, cost, and availability.
A new management team combined with a more effective purchasing strategy has enabled the company to kick on and fulfill the brothers’ innovative and forward-thinking plans.
Burlen has installed Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machines in the workshop, including a milling machine that will carry out all operations on the AMAL Mk1 Concentric carburetor castings.
Now thanks to record turnover, a fresh organization of staff and the installation of modern machinery, Burlen is on the lookout for new and experienced professionals to join the team.
There is a job opening for a skilled engineer with experience in traditional casting and machining techniques and knowledge of CAD, 3D-printing, and additive manufacturing.
Off the back of a remarkable 2016, Burlen is gearing up for its most exciting year to date in 2017. It’s putting the final touches on a completely game-changing, innovative SU fuel injection system, which sees a fuel injection device work inside a carburetor.
Plus, Burlen is also set for several appearances at high-profile events on the automotive calendar, including Goodwood Revival and Beaulieu International Autojumble, where it will showcase the best of its SU, AMAL and Zenith products.
Mark Burnett, Managing Director of Burlen, said:
We’re over the moon with our success in 2016 and the fantastic turnover we recorded. We have an incredibly hard-working team here in Salisbury and the figures are testament to just how strong a workforce they are. But we’re definitely not standing still here – we are continuing to push on and look to the future, with lots of exciting things to come in 2017.
Notes on the History of Burlen Ltd
Burlen Ltd is the world’s sole manufacturer of genuine Skinner’s Union (SU), AMAL and Zenith carburettors, fuel pumps and spares.
The origins of the Salisbury-based company go back to 1971 when a partnership between John Burnett and Mike Cullen was formed and called Burlen Services; at that point, it was simply a garage workshop.
There was always a distinct bias towards sports cars and the firm became Morgan Agents in 1973.
The first real involvement in carburetors came in the 1974 fuel crisis when every customer wanted more miles to the gallon above all else. Burlen were appointed Official SU agents and Zenith Solex Agents as well as a Weber Dealer. The mail-order and spares side of the business grew rapidly and particularly in the emerging classic car field.
Burlen co-operated with the then SU factory to ensure the continuation of some threatened products. The HS and HD carburetors are prime examples of two such products, as in the early eighties the tooling for these was due to be scrapped.
Burlen agreed to purchase a minimum quantity of these lines, which fortunately saved the day. A further high point in the co-operation between Burlen and SU was a complicated joint venture involving both SAAB and Volvo to rescue the bankrupt Solex UK IV and CD production lines in 1985/6. At the same time, the Burlen Fuel Systems Limited company was formed, leaving the partnership trading with Morgan.
By 1987, the SU logo had been neglected for some years as the SU factory was known as ARG Fuel Systems and the fast moving product was distributed by Unipart. Burlen approached the factory and an agreement was reached to relaunch the SU & Zenith logos and liveries as they appear today.
Following many years of co-operation, Burlen now manufactures all SU carburetors and all SU Electric and mechanical fuel pumps. Burlen continues to manufacture the Zenith IV and CD carburetors.
Burlen continues to supply this service to vintage and classic car and motorcycle owners across the globe, and proudly so.
Note: Press release courtesy of Burlen Ltd.
