Sector Focus


Manufacturing


Milestone as Mayflex celebrates anniversary


New investment: The furnace at Mechatherm


Manufacturer in contract win


A Black Country business specialising in the manufacturing of aluminium furnaces has secured new funding from Barclays to support a major contract win. Kingswinford-based


Mechatherm International Ltd, has secured the multi-million pound order to supply one of the top ten biggest aluminium producers in the world with aluminium melting and holding furnaces. This order has resulted in


ten new jobs being created at the company taking the current workforce to 60 staff. The family-owned business


was founded in 1973 by Louis Riley and John Gardner specialising in the design, manufacture and installation of furnaces and ancillary products. The business has a customer base of blue chip companies and exports to over 50 countries around the world. The company has received a Queens Award for Exporting three times. Andrew Riley, chairman of


Mechatherm International Limited, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this order which is testimony to the expertise and hard work of our staff and enables us to compete with some of the larger companies in the market place.”


A Birmingham-based computer networking and cabling company is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The firm is Mayflex, and it is located at Junction Six


Industrial Estate in Electric Avenue, Witton. The business began life as Mayall & Co, and was a distributor of Swan kettles. The family-owned business changed name in 1985,


when it moved into the computer cabling market with a variety of products.


‘This important and exciting anniversary marks the longevity of our business and demonstrates our adaptability’


This change of direction rapidly gathered momentum


and led to the ongoing development of network cabling, in the form of copper twisted pair and fibre optic cables. In January 1997, Mayflex introduced the Excel brand, which is now sold in more than 70 countries and holds the number one position in the UK, based on the volume sold. Two years ago, Mayflex was acquired by Sonepar, an independent family-owned company involved in the distribution of electrical products and related services. Sonepar has a turnover of more than €20bn and


operates in 44 countries. Mayflex managing director Andrew Percival said: “This important and exciting anniversary marks the


Andrew Percival – 100 not out for Mayflex


longevity of our business and demonstrates our adaptability as market conditions and technology have evolved. “Mayflex now employs 300 plus associates, from


staff that have been in the business for 15, 20 even 30 years, along with newer recruits, bringing a great dynamic to the business. We are active across EMEA and will extend our reach further in the coming months. “Our business continues to develop, our key financial


measures are improving, customer numbers are growing and we are expanding our geographical reach and entering new vertical and technology markets.”


Firms struggle to retain talent


Recruiting and retaining top talent is the main risk facing the manufacturing sector, according to a new survey. According to the results in UK


Manufacturing Monitor – conducted by leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM – almost half of respondents confirmed people risks (49 per cent) and skills shortages (43 per cent) are a major challenge impacting manufacturers. All areas of the business are


affected, particularly attracting the right production, sales and


marketing and research and development skills. This issue is magnified due to


the ageing workforce within the sector, with the majority (75 per cent) of respondents flagging this as a key concern. Despite the critical need to attract


younger workers with future-fit skills, nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of manufacturers didn’t think the new Apprenticeship Levy, introduced by the government in April 2017, would have an impact on apprenticeship numbers.


Nick Blundell, RSM’s head of


manufacturing in the central region, said: “The sector is facing a perfect storm when it comes to skills. “It has an ageing workforce of


experienced workers who are vital to the ongoing success of each business but a difficulty attracting younger talent. Unless action is taken now, the skills could be lost. “To tackle this issue head on,


manufacturers need to be brave and adopt new ways to recruit top talent, while engaging their workforce to ensure they retain them.”


58 CHAMBERLINK July/August 2017


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