Formaplex Number: 28


SOUTHERN MANUFACTURING


100


When it comes to meeting the exacting demands of racing car and luxury brand vehicle manufacturers, Formaplex is in pole position


The Cosham-based company specialises in injection mould tooling and lightweight component solutions and has a world-class reputation for providing state-of-the-art manufacturing technology for major clients.


These include Formula One motorsport and suppliers to the automotive, defence, aerospace, marine and industrial industries.


It was just 16 years ago that this dynamic and fast-growing company was formed – initially as a small firm supplying high quality precision manufacturing solutions – moulds for carbon-fibre technology – for the F1 industry.


“We were able to react very fast to F1 clients’ demands for new components to improve their vehicles’ performance, so they could get the racing cars back on track as quickly as possible,” explained Formaplex executive director Russ Hammacott.


“We still work with F1 clients – we’re almost a fourth ‘paramedic’ service; we pride ourselves on our flexible manufacturing processes.


“We deliver exceptional results and a rapid response to ensure we stay at the forefront of world-class manufacturing solutions and advanced technology.”


Formaplex provides integrated services, tailored to suit customer requirements, including tooling design and manufacture, injection moulded thermoplastic components, composite tooling and


composite parts. Everything from a car bumper to an aircraft wing can be produced.


Hammacott joined Formaplex in 2009, bringing his engineering expertise, such as providing tooling solutions from the Far East, to the company. It had just 55 staff then. Today it employs over 500 skilled personnel and is based at four specialist centres – Cosham, Havant, Horndean and the recently-opened cutting-edge premises in Portsmouth.


Expansion to the impressive 120,000 sq ft factory has created more than 100 new jobs and increased Formaplex’s production space by 80%. Recent investment in its manufacturing capabilities includes five injection-mould presses, assembly and finishing departments including a fully validated Tier 1 paint facility.


This allows 24/7 production to be maintained, while strict quality control ensures the highest standards.


“Our dynamic approach to business has resulted in rapid growth for the past five years, boosted by confidence in the automotive sector and increased international demand for UK premium car brands,” said Hammacott.


“We have gone from strength to strength. We invested £21 million over that period and achieved a record turnover of £48.4m in 2016. Our impressive plant list includes 45 CNC machines and 16 injection mould presses.”


TM Winning formula for business success


Russ Hammacott


A local man, Hammacott began his career as an apprentice engineer and worked his way up via the factory floor and in sales roles, before starting his own engineering business and gaining experience dealing in the Far East and European markets.


He is immensely proud of Formaplex’s highly-skilled work base, both in the UK and in China, where project managers work with global partners on overseas operations.


Formaplex values every member of staff and Hammacott is passionate about motivating them by providing on-site training and opportunities for career progression to get the best from each person.


It invests in local youngsters by running a successful apprenticeship scheme, teaching basic engineering skills in a bespoke training facility for a year, before giving them excellent first-hand experience on the shop floor. There are also training initiatives for engineering students.


“They are the next generation of engineers,” says Hammacott, whose son is also an engineer.


“We are motivated to react quickly to customer requests and are committed to getting the job done,” said Hammacott, who was about to take off to meet partners in China.


While business is intense and the world markets are challenging, Hammacott is optimistic about the future.


“It’s been an interesting ride in many ways,” he adds.


“Who knows what the future will bring, I have an ‘adapt and change’ strategy – and great confidence in our skilled workforce.


“These are positive and exciting times for Formaplex.”


24 businessmag.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2017


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44