AN award-winning glass making firm is enjoying smashing success after calling in experts to help boost its manufacturing processes.
Specialist Glass Products called in the Government-backed Manufacturing Advisory Service Yorkshire & Humber to help improve production systems at the firm’s Milnsbridge factory.
Now the company, which was a winner in the 2007 Examiner Business Awards, has invested almost £1m in new equipment, including a glass bending machine to enable the business to pursue new potential customers.
Brothers and joint managing directors Andrew and Jonathan Taylor launched the business in 2003 after working in the glass industry for many years.
The company, which employs 32 people, is now a UK market leader in the manufacture and supply of bespoke glass laminates – particularly curved glass – for large commercial contracts. Recent orders include manufacturing all the glass balustrades for the new Wembley stadium.
Andrew Taylor said: “Eighteen months ago, we felt confident that we had everything in place to beat our competitors, but needed to improve our production and management skills.
“MAS adviser Phil Warrington undertook a free diagnostic report and gave us some good, constructive advice.
“With his help, all our senior managers embarked on a training and development programme.
“They really took on board the new ideas and were positive to the changes being introduced.”
Through MAS, the Specialist Glass Products project team also learnt the fundamentals of “lean” manufacturing and a complete review of production and pre-production activities was undertaken.
MAS also arranged for the firm to get access to a technology grant to cover the cost of installing a new overhead crane.
Said Mr Taylor: “We have a full order book and are now starting to offer an installation service.
“We are very proud of the goals we have achieved in the past year, including increasing overall productivity from £634,786 to £1.4m, increasing our turnover by 18.5% from £2.7m to £3.2m and creating five new jobs.”
He said: “Running a business is always a challenge and there never seems to be enough hours in the day.
“However, with the support of MAS and having Phil visit us on a regular basis ensures that we make the time to discuss the business and plan for the future.”
