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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Working with the customer


“A small business with a big company philosophy” was how one of RLS Tooling Ltd’s customers recently described the Cannock based company. Rather apt for a business that started as a one man operation and now manufactures a variety of dies for customers globally.


R


LS Tooling was established in 1989 by current managing director, Roger Smith, who would go out during the day trying to get orders, and then make the dies during the night. “We definitely started the


hard way,” laughs Roger. “The first couple of months weren’t easy but we got through it.” “The business was built on giving customers a personal


service and providing a high quality product,” explains Marcus Smith, production director and Roger’s son. “That is still a key part of the business today and we are continually looking at ways of improving the service and product quality.” Marcus started his career with the company by working


on the factory floor at the first stage of production and all subsequent processes to the final product, including seeing the tools in operation. “It gave me the opportunity to understand the product and manufacturing process better,” says Marcus. RLS started by making milled dies for wood screws and AB


types and as the business started to grow so did the demand for ground thread dies which resulted in RLS purchasing machinery to supply the ground thread market. Later on in 2000 RLS acquired a company which made circular thread rolls giving it a complete range of thread rolling tools. RLS now has a product line that includes an extensive range of flat dies for AB dies, wood screw, Taptite® MAThread®


, , construction bolts as well as standard Metric


threads, cylindrical thread rolls for both thru and plunge rolling on 2 and 3 roll machines and tangential chasers. The range of flat dies covers 00WF – 70WF and GW22 – GW141 and circular thread rolls up to 315mm diameter. All dies can be made in a variety of materials from standard D2 to M42


and powdermet steels, with coatings to enhance tool life an option on all materials. Also, to ensure the quality of each part, inspections are


carried out at each stage of production and equipment is calibrated according to ISO 9001:2008. RLS encourages its staff to be multi skilled allowing for


more flexibility in the workplace. “Our enthusiastic staff are very experienced and with a good product knowledge base,” underlines Roger. “We are currently in the process of updating the machines


on the blank making section and are also looking to add more CNC machines on other sections in the upcoming months,” states Marcus. As part of an expansion RLS is currently in the process of


acquiring extra premises next door to the current units. “At the end of 2008 we put together an expansion plan, but then came the recession. Like everyone else we got knocked back and we had to condense the manufacturing area from four to three units,” explains Roger. “However, now we are starting to get the confidence back and are at the level we were in 2008 which is why we are looking to increase the manufacturing area to four units again and adding more staff.” The expansion plans are as a result of the success RLS has


recently had and underlines its commitment to continuously trying to improve its service and offer high quality products. However, Roger and Marcus are still cautious about the future. “At the moment we are busy and we hope it continues, but we realise that there is a possibility it could all change,” comments Marcus. “The problem is that people talk about the negatives too much but should be more positive,” adds Roger. “In six months times the situation might have changed, but currently we are doing well and looking to build on the momentum we have gained.” It is this commitment to continuously look forward, coupled with a dedication to provide high quality products supported by a competitive service, which has enabled RLS to become a vital partner for companies globally and belie its small business persona. As Roger points out: “Whatever your size it is about working with the customer and continuing to offer a first class service whilst letting the products speak for themselves.”


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Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 69 May 2011


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