The Midlands Assembly Network (MAN) is setting its sights on a host of new opportunities after one of the UK’s leading product design and engineering consultancies joined its ranks.
Herefordshire-based Grove Design has joined the manufacturing collective, providing its global client base with a full turnkey service, from initial drawings and feasibility studies to prototyping and low, medium and high volume production.
The additional service is the first time the group has ever offered the discipline, and has led to potential contracts for developing lightweight automotive components and a project in renewables.
Tony Hague, Chairman of MAN, believes adding Grove to its ranks could represent a multi-million pound opportunity.
“More and more companies are looking to rationalise their supply chain to avoid issues with lead times, cost and security of delivery and this is a trend we can take advantage of,” he said.
“Grove Design represents a perfect fit for the group and builds on existing manufacturing capabilities, including etching, precision pressing, tool making, injection moulding, contract electronics and die casting.”
Grove, which employs six full time design engineers at its site, has seen a series of recent project wins increase its turnover, and the the company said it hopes to further accelerate this trend.
Austin Owens, director of Grove Design, expressed his delight at joining MAN, and said it can provide a new dimension to its existing offer.
“There is a growing demand for suppliers to get involved at the earliest possible stage with new components or products and this is where we can really add value, whether it is through a single redraw or full project involvement from concept through to definition for manufacture,” he said.
Mr Owens added: “We can now work with other MAN members to offer the complete solution for clients and take our design through to production and supply.
“This means we can identify potential issues earlier on in the process as we’ll have input from the actual companies who will be producing the parts. This is a massive win-win for potential customers.”
