Case Histories
Aluminium Company Shows its Mettle
As part of a routine search for suppliers in the region
the Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midland 's sourcing specialist
Cecilia Davies contacted Managing Director Ian Parsons at Solihull-based
Special Projects CNC. This led to a chain of events that has rapidly
improved his business.
Cecilia was sourcing aluminium fabricators of behalf of Litescene, a conferencing system manufacturer, who have also received assistance from MAS-WM. During their meeting it was suggested that Ian's company could be helped with investment in new machinery to help them diversify away from their core job of manufacturing the frames for the fold-up seats in black taxis.
Cecilia Davies said;
"I was referred Ian to Norman Taylor at Birmingham & Solihull Business Link and he guided the company towards ISO 9002 accreditation. Norman also helped with an application for funding for a new Bridgeport vertical machining centre through the Accelerate programme, which helps companies in the automotive supply chain."
As a result Special Projects CNC, who have been operating for four years, have won new orders and extended their portfolio to work on fruit machines, the heating market, walkways and other automotive accounts. From this new business they have achieved a 300% increase in turnover year-on-year and have employed new staff to cope with the demand.
Ian Parsons enthused: “I still have to pinch myself. It would be fair to say that if it wasn't for MAS-WM, the Business Link and Accelerate we wouldn't be anywhere near where we now. It's good to see that manufacturing is getting a chance.”
In the two years since their inauguration in September 2002 the Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands has referred over 1200 companies to other areas of business support.
Norman Taylor concluded:
"Our relationship with MAS-WM is a fantastic example of how business support services can work together effectively to help and support manufacturers in the region."
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