Precision sheet metal subcontractor, JC Metalworks, has secured a string of new contracts to supply precision metal parts after receiving support from the Manufacturing Growth Programme.
The company has sealed a string of new contracts to supply metal parts used by high street brands, restaurants and clients involved in the automotive, retail and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sectors.
Backed by expert support from the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), the company has completed a strategic business review.
It identified the need for a more cohesive approach, a programme of upskilling across the workforce and the implementation of new lean manufacturing processes.
This has resulted in the £1m surge in business and is just the start as the firm plans to achieve £10m turnover by 2020, a £3.3m increase on its current £6.7m order book.
Nick Oakland, managing director, commented: “There’s a lot of opportunities in retail POS and we are now pro-actively targeting those with very good effect. Our flexibility, manufacturing capabilities and ability to get involved in design makes us a natural fit and the recent new contracts underline this…these are technically demanding projects that need a strategic approach with the client.”
He added: “It’s all about building relationships and ensuring customers know our full range of expertise and how we can support them going forward. We are now up to £6.7m annual sales and want to increase this year-on-year between now and 2020. If we can hit the £10m as anticipated we’ll definitely need more staff; there could be as many as 20 new jobs.”
JC Metalworks has been working with the MGP since the beginning of the programme in October last year.
As part of the strategic review, the company was introduced to expert John Collins and his team at PCA, who supported the firm with internal organisational structure, developing training plans and creating a new approach to sales.
A ‘5S’ manufacturing strategy was also devised and implemented, which has resulted in better ownership on the shopfloor and initial improvements in capacity and efficiency.
James Bosworth, manufacturing growth manager at MGP, agreed: “We are here to help manufacturers unlock their potential by getting under their skin and finding out what the issues or barriers to growth are.
“Once this first step has been completed, external experts are introduced that have the skills they need to help them achieve their plans. Nick and his team are a great example. Over £1m new orders secured in 12 months with a full pipeline of potential work too!”
