2025 marked a milestone year for ISF. In November, the company was shortlisted in not one, but two categories at the Yorkshire Post Business Awards: Small Business of the Year and Business Leader of the Year for Managing Director, Iain Scott. Although ISF did not take home the trophies on the night, reaching the finals in both categories is an achievement the whole team is rightly proud of – particularly given the calibre of companies and leaders represented across the shortlist.
For Iain, who founded ISF 36 years ago and has guided it from a one-man operation to a respected national engineering partner, being named a finalist in a category filled with some of Yorkshire’s most influential and transformative business leaders was especially meaningful. “To be in that company is an honour in itself,” he said. “It’s a real reflection of what our whole team has built over the years.”
Celebrating a Quietly Powerful Contribution to British Manufacturing
ISF operates in a sector most people never see, but one on which the entire food supply chain depends. From its base in York, the company designs, fabricates and installs bespoke machinery for the UK’s animal feed milling industry. Every piece of equipment is produced in-house, giving ISF complete quality control and enabling its engineers to solve complex, site-specific challenges that standard solutions simply can’t address.
This commitment to craftsmanship, problem-solving and long-term partnership is one of the reasons ISF was shortlisted for Small Business of the Year. Over the last three years, the company has delivered sustained, healthy growth, strengthened customer relationships, invested in digital fabrication technologies and continued to refine leaner, more efficient manufacturing processes. Today, ISF employs a highly skilled 23-strong team, many of whom have been with the business for over two decades.
A Leadership Story Rooted in People, Purpose and Pride
Iain’s nomination for Business Leader of the Year recognised more than commercial performance – it highlighted a leadership style shaped by integrity, resilience and a genuine commitment to people. His journey from a 16-year-old apprentice sheet metal worker to founder of one of the UK’s leading feed mill engineering specialists spans more than five decades of quiet but significant industry contribution.
From the start, Iain built ISF on solid principles: quality first, people always, and relationships above transactions. Many of the company’s long-standing customers have worked with ISF for decades; 95% of business still comes from repeat work. Internally, a culture of loyalty, mentorship and pride runs deep. Apprentices progress into leaders, expertise is passed down through generations, and every employee, regardless of role, is encouraged to take ownership of their craft.
This people-first approach has helped ISF navigate challenges from Avian Flu outbreaks to the 2008 financial crash and the COVID-19 pandemic. Each time, the company adapted without compromising its values, whether diversifying into construction to protect jobs or turning its workshop into a PPE distribution hub during the pandemic.
A Year of Milestones, Momentum and Looking Ahead
Beyond the awards recognition, 2025 has been a year of progress and pride. ISF completed several major engineering projects, strengthened its apprenticeship pipeline with York College, and continued its unwavering commitment to quality, holding ISO 9001 accreditation for the 27th consecutive year.
As the business looks ahead, succession planning and next-generation development remain central to ISF’s long-term vision. With a well-established leadership team stepping forward and a strong pool of apprentices coming through, the company is well-positioned for the decades to come.
Proud, Reflective, and Ready for the Next Chapter
Although the awards night didn’t end with a trophy, earning finalist positions in two competitive categories highlights ISF’s impact, values and momentum. It reflects the dedication of a team that cares deeply about its craft – and the vision of a leader who has spent 36 years building something made to last.
“We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come,” Iain says. “And we’re even more excited about where ISF is heading next.”
This article featured in the Process Industry Informer Winter supplement for SHAPA.
