14
Philidas invests
Since the acquisition of Philidas Ltd in August 2008, managing director Steve McHugh has announced details of continued investment in
the company.
“We have employed three new employees on full apprenticeship programs to develop new talent in the company. They will be trained in all
departments of the business before choosing their preferred career path at the end of their apprenticeship.” He continued, “This is exciting news for
the company and shows that even in difficult times British Manufacturing companies can still invest in new engineering and manufacturing talent.”
Philidas has also placed an order worth in excess of £100,000 for a new crack detection machine to further enhance its quality control standards
and capabilities. “We intend to show to our customers that the company can and will invest to maintain and improve on our high and exacting
standards” said Steve. “Since acquiring the business we have focused on improving our manufacturing efficiency and capabilities,” adds Steve. “This
was after listening to the needs of our customers and the changing economic climate.”
The company has also announced the appointment of Clark Hodges as sales director of the company. “Clark has many years experience in our
market sector,” commented Steve, “and we are pleased to welcome him to the senior management team.”
Hampton Plating MEP visits metal formers to
enters administration
discuss credit crunch
One of the UK’s best known fastener
Confederation of British Metalforming hosted a roundtable discussion, which
electroplaters entered administration on 27
included delegates from the UK manufacturing group EAMA and the West
November. Hampton Plating was incorporated in
Midlands MEP, Malcolm Harbour, at the National Metalforming centre in West
1949 although its history as a non-limited
Bromwich, UK.
business stretched back to 1927.
The MEP’s extensive automotive background meant he could empathise with his
Over the last ten years the company had invested
audience and their current dilemma of shrinking order books and increasing costs. The
in automation and tripled sales to over £3million. The
speed of the collapse in confidence and consequent slashing of production schedules
company is understood to have sought assistance
by the automakers had stunned everyone involved in the sector.
from financial advisers during the summer of 2008. It
The reduction in credit limits on General Motors by HSBC, after several health
lost several major customers and the downturn in the
warnings in the press, had caused particular concern throughout the supply chain with
automotive sector, on which the company was
many GM suppliers needing to ‘re-bank’ to secure future finance. Several initiatives to
reliant, resulted in a dramatic fall in revenue.
stimulate the economy were discussed including removing the older commercial
Hampton is understood to have sought but not
vehicles from the roads by tighter restrictions and forcing hauliers to purchase the later
been able to agree further financial support, at which
models.
stage administrator SFP was called in by Close Invoice
Not all sectors were suffering however, aerospace and oil and gas industries were
Finance. SFP decided continued trading was not an
still reported to be on stream.
option and by mid December indicated to creditors
“Malcolm Harbour agreed to report all our concerns and suggestions back to not
that the sale of Hampton Plating as a business was
only his European colleagues, but also the Shadow Cabinet in London, on leaving he
unlikely.
commented that he had enjoyed meeting the group and looked forward to a joining us
again in 2009.”
CAF offers 'British Made' standard bolts
The UK’s largest fastener maker, Caparo Atlas Fastenings, has announced it is re-entering the standard fasteners market by
manufacturing a range of DIN 931 and DIN 933 products from M6 to M20 diameter.
Sales director Andrew Nuttall explains, “We are currently taking orders for bulk quantities in a variety of finishes on a lead time of six weeks.”
Minimum manufacturing batches apply for each size – ranging from 100,000 pieces for M6 diameters to 10,000 pieces for M20 diameters.
“However we are prepared to agree scheduled supply over a three month period,” adds Andrew Nuttall.
Heinz Storch golf day 2009
Following the outstanding success of last year’s inaugural charity golf day in memory of Heinz Storch, Fastbolt has confirmed the 2009 event will
take place on Heinz’ birthday – Friday 5 June. As before the venue will be the delightful Mentmore Golf & Country Club, in Bedfordshire.
Fastbolt UK managing director, Graham Joyce tells us that the entry fee will be £75, with £30
going direct to Willen Hospice. Last year the event raised over £6,000, from player’s fees,
sponsorship, a raffle and auction of gifts, for the Milton Keynes charity supported by Heinz and Fast-
bolt staff for many years.
Fastbolt is sending out invitations in January. “Unfortunately we will have to limit the numbers,”
says Graham, “simply because of space availability at Mentmore and getting all the players back
in time for the evening dinner.” Graham can be contacted on +44 1908 650105 or
email
g.joyce@
fastbolt.com.
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