BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES CASE STUDY
One of the firm’s Bloccs waterproof cast protectors
INSIDER
inspire
Taking a dip in the international pool
P
recision Dippings Manufacturing (PDM) is a family-run business that was established in Bristol in 1964.
As a contract manufacturer of dipped rubber
component parts, you could be forgiven for not instantly recognising the PDM brand name – though the company did put the stretch into Stretch Armstrong, an iconic action figure that’s currently enjoying a Netflix revival. Now, in addition to the bespoke rubber
solutions it continues to provide for a range of manufacturing industries, PDM has well and truly put itself on the consumer map with Bloccs – a range of waterproof cast and dressing protectors that are taking their market by storm. A family business through and through, the
product concept for Bloccs came about after an injury to one of the company directors’ children who, having suffered a broken arm, found it difficult washing, bathing and swimming while wearing a cast. The PDM team used their expertise to come up with a solution and the idea for Bloccs was born. A great British manufacturing success story,
PDM was awarded the Queen’s Award for Excellence in Innovation in 2016 following four years of exponential growth, which saw the business secure an
Amazon.co.uk category bestseller in the process. Bloccs’ products are also stocked by high street stalwarts such as Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy. After experiencing rapid growth across the
UK and Europe, PDM approached Business West in 2015 as they began to explore new overseas markets and distribution networks in the US and Australia. Douglas King, director at PDM, said: “When we
first contacted Business West to obtain advice regarding exporting documentation, we didn’t quite anticipate just how far they’d be able to take us on our exporting journey. “Not only did they help us with our
documentation, they also provided us with comprehensive training, planning and support to grow our business in hard to navigate overseas markets, for which I am truly grateful. “Being part of the Bristol Chamber of
Commerce was the perfect platform to discover the range of services offered by Business West,” added Douglas. “We were introduced to Business
FACTFILE
COMPANY: Precision Dippings Manufacturing (PDM)
LOCATION: Stover Trading Estate, Lawrence Dr, Yate, Bristol BS37 5PG
WHAT WE DO: PDM have been making bespoke dipped rubber products for a range of industries since 1964. Using their dip moulded components, they manufacture custom-made products in the UK for companies around the world in sectors that include the military, emergency and rescue services, medical and marine. With their specialist expertise, they also work with companies on product development.
WHERE TO BUY BLOCCS: Online from Amazon, Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy and
www.bloccs.com
West exporting programmes and this gave us access to an international trade adviser who provided invaluable support and guidance that has helped us to greatly increase our export sales.” Now 12 months on since PDM received the
Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation for their Bloccs cast and wound protectors, business continues to boom. Sales have grown by around 20% across the whole company, new product lines have been introduced and staff numbers have increased. “We have Bloccs’ distributors in countries as
far afield as Australia, New Zealand and the US and are delighted with the feedback, engagement and sales volume we’re getting,” said PDM director Kate Richards. Bloccs are credited with saving many a family
holiday thanks to the waterproof protection they provide. Five years into their Bloccs journey and with more product development planned, it’s clear that the team at PDM are only just getting started.
NAME: Cassie Yates POSITION: Project Manager E:
cassie.yates@businesswest.co.uk T: 01275 370757
What does your role involve? As project manager of the Enterprising West of England programme my role is very varied. I manage six other partner organisations as well as Business West activities to deliver lots of different types of business support throughout the West of England area. Day-to-day activities might include designing or improving a grant fund, meeting partner organisations to check progress, setting deadlines and lots of reviewing of documents!
What do you love about your job? I love setting up business support programmes in ways that I think will work for both businesses and the local economy. Seeing businesses start and then grow is fantastic. Knowing we’ve designed a programme in a way that relates to the needs of those businesses makes me happy.
What were you doing before you joined Business West? I’ve worked on a number of different business support programmes in some interesting places. I was previously the project manager of a grant fund in Afghanistan called the Afghanistan Business Innovation Fund. After that I joined the West of England Growth Fund at the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership and then eventually made it to Business West.
What is your top tip for anyone starting out in business? Don’t be afraid to make mistakes but do some initial market research! It will save you time in the long run.
What is the most unusual business you’ve encountered? That’s a tricky question as I haven’t had anything too strange yet. With the Afghanistan Business Innovation Fund we did support a business to move the entire contents of a cashmere processing factory from the UK to a rural village in the middle of Afghanistan, including a very conscientious British factory manager who agreed to go too!
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