Smart Molding International 3-2022

16 newsfeed smart_molding international 3/2022 A boost in business has led to a North-East manufacturing special- ist moving to a 24-hour operation to meet ‘unprecedented demand’ for its expertise. Fairgrieve Compression Moulding, in Washington, Tyne & Wear, has more than 100 years’ history in plas- tic moulding, supplying a wide range of industries from construction and mining to offshore and marine. The company was bought by UK manufac- turing investor Daniel Beaumont last year, and led through a rapid trans- formationby general manager Barry Davidson, who joined soon after the business changed hands. Mr Davidson admits business was slow when he joined 12 months ago, as the company was emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic and as the manufacturing sector was still adjust- ing to the impacts of Brexit. But he says Fairgrieve Compression Moulding is now reaping the rewards of a posi- tive market – and one with a renewed commitment to buying British – lead- ing to the business recruiting extra staff to work on the factory floor. “Since the turn of the year we have been incredibly busy and seen unprecedented demand for our prod- ucts. I think much of that is down to the manufacturing sector benefitting from more businesses being back at work, and more decision makers be- ing on site and on the factory floors,” he said. “We are also seeing a real commitment to buying British from our customers due to the long lead times on products from Europe, and the rising costs. One of our long- standing customers always previously asked us to source the raw materi- als abroad, but we’ve actually been able to find a UK supplier where the lead time is much shorter. I think the manufacturing industry is having to think British first now. That has to be a good thing.” With the business seeing a number of customers placing orders for the first time in a number of years, and a number of new clients secured this year, Mr Davidson said the decision to switch from a 9-5 operation to a 24 hour production facility was a neces- sity. “We’ve had to change the way we work, but again it has been an- other move which has increased our efficiency and productivity, and the staff have all supported it. We have a lot of employees who have been with us for a number of years, and they have really bought into what Daniel and myself want to achieve, and are delighted to see the business doing so well.” Owner delighted to be outper- forming targets as more investment planned Dan i e l Beaumont , owne r o f Fairgrieve Compression Moulding, said the company was performing more efficiently and ahead of targets set when he bought the business. It follows a year of investment and change, in which Fairgrieves have been through a programme of con- tinuous improvement, and placed a focus on research for clients and the development and launch of new products. “The move to a 24-hour operation was not in the plans but it really was a move we had to take to meet de- mand,” he said. “We’ve had an excel- lent first half of the year and we are ahead of expectations. Much of that is down to smarter ways of working we have introduced, and from re- ducing overheads and ensuring ef- ficient systems are in place. We now have more investment planned into our factory for later in the year. It is pleasing because we have seen the morale of the team lifted. It is great for them to see us so busy, as in times of a cost-of-living crisis and pressures on business, it brings confidence and a feeling of job security.” Fairgrieve Compression Moulding www.fairgrieves.co.uk Plastic moulding specialist moves to 24-hour operation Fairgrieve staff produce products on the factory floor Barry Davidson, new General Manager (all photos: Fairgrieve)