Tracy Clark’s journey from a rebellious teen dreaming of becoming a prison warden to the executive chairwoman of a £5 million engineering business is nothing short of inspiring. Leaving school at 16, Tracy decided to dive headfirst into the world of work rather than pursue traditional academic paths. Her first job as a kitchen porter at the Meldrum Arms Hotel not only provided her with early work experience but also instilled in her a sense of independence and drive.
Reflecting on her unconventional career aspirations, Tracy shared,
“I was absolutely terrible at school. I didn’t think I was academic and I just wanted to get into the working world.”
Despite her initial dream of becoming a prison warden being dashed due to her height, Tracy found success in various roles before co-founding ITC Hydraulics with her husband Ian.
In 1999, armed with determination, a simple idea, a van, and £2,700 in savings—a safety net for their mortgage payments—the entrepreneurial couple took the leap into starting their own business. Tracy reminisced about those early days, saying,
“All he was was one man in his van. We saved up about six months’ mortgage payments… But he picked up some decent contracts with oil companies.”
As their venture gained traction, ITC Hydraulics flourished. The company’s turnover soared from an initial £60,000 to substantial figures over time. Recognizing the need for expansion and growth opportunities within their industry, Tracy and Ian made strategic decisions that led to significant milestones for their business.
In 2019, they launched ITC Manufacturing Limited to focus on fabrication and machining services. With an eye on further development and efficiency enhancement, they secured new premises at Barra Business Park near Oldmeldrum—an investment totaling £1 million—to accommodate the company’s growth trajectory effectively.
Despite their remarkable success story unfolding over two decades since its inception,
ITC Hydraulics navigated through challenges along the way. Tracy highlighted cash flow as a persistent hurdle faced by businesses dealing with extended payment terms from larger clients. She also noted that recruiting and retaining staff became more challenging during the pandemic-induced uncertainties—issues resonating across many industries.
To propel further growth and strategic direction for the company,
Tracy recently made the decision to appoint Keith Mackie as managing director while transitioning from her executive role.
This move aims to drive expansion avenues particularly focused on enhancing rental services—a sector holding significant potential for revenue increase within ITC Hydraulics’ operations.
Looking back on their incredible journey filled with hard work
and perseverance,
Tracy expressed immense pride in Ian’s achievements
and lauded his humility despite his exceptional leadership qualities.
She shared heartfelt words about her own path within
the company,
emphasizing her unwavering dedication
to achieving set goals:
“If I say I’m going to do something,
I do it.”
As Tracy Clark continues to steer
ITC Hydraulics towards greater heights,
her story stands as
a testament
to resilience,
innovation,
and unyielding commitment
that transforms humble beginnings
into thriving enterprises.
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