FEATURE
MADE IN THE EAST MIDLANDS
Shining a light on Sutton-in-Ashfield
In 1958, John Pratt worked as a maintainer and repairer of lighting columns in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. He then developed Abacus into a manufacturer of lighting columns and street furniture. Shortly after, Abacus patented its greatest innovation, the raise and lower column, which became a de facto industry standard in various sectors, such as rail and sport. Here, Abacus documents its role as a key manufacturer, very much made in the East Midlands.
On almost all rail platforms across the UK, you will see an Abacus lighting column. Still based in Sutton-in-Ashfield, next year will be the company’s 60th, every one of which has been in the East Midlands. Pratt instilled a family value to Abacus. He created a
working atmosphere that has seen around a third of its staff stay with the company for over 20 years, some for over 50. In addition, working with a local college, it has an active apprenticeship scheme, helping to build the future of the company and its employees for many years to come. Many of its apprentices have gone on to play key roles in
some of Abacus’ large-scale projects, such as the floodlighting at the Manuka Oval, Australia, and in Lusail City, Qatar. Today, Pratt’s legacy lives on through his granddaughter, Camilla Wigmore, who has a Masters in Manufacturing Engineering from Cambridge University. She joined Abacus as Operations Director and is now Managing Director. During the 1980s the local economy took a huge
downturn partly due to the closing of the mines and the hosiery trade being moved abroad, unemployment rates were high. As a local employer, Abacus assisted in the rejuvenation of the area by retraining and developing some of these people into the skilled workforce that it has today. In 1965, the company took its first major steps into
exporting, with Pratt carrying out a trade mission to the Middle East. From this, Abacus established its first agents in Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar. From further trade missions such as these, the foundations were laid to build the strong overseas profile it has today, with over 30% of its overall sales coming from international trade. For 45 years, it has been a member of the East Midlands Chamber, throughout which time the support and assistance it has received has been invaluable. This year, in recognition of Abacus’ exporting strength, it received both the Chamber’s Excellence in International Trade and Business of the Year awards along with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade. It regularly uses the Chamber for support with export documentation services, which is critical to its overseas business. In 2013, new investors acquired the trade and
assets of the company. Over the past three years the business has focused in on its core markets, investment in product development, staff and customer relationships. Abacus has seen year-on- year growth in its turnover as a result of this. Abacus feels it sets itself apart from its
competitors by its ability to provide a turnkey lighting solution.
48 business network December 2017/January 2018 It designs, manufactures, installs and maintains its
products internationally, with the vast majority of manufacturing taking place at its head office. It has further invested in its manufacturing capability with investment in large scale equipment and research and development into new products. One of its key sectors is the sports floodlighting market. For many years, its flagship Challenger 1 floodlight was manufactured in and imported from Europe. In a bid to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and also improve delivery timescales, a strategic decision was made in 2016 to re-shore the entire Challenger 1 production back to the UK. Along with the Challenger 1, Abacus now manufactures its next generation area lantern, the Orion
LED, and its high performance Quartz LED
bollard at its headquarters, further enhancing its profile as an East Midlands-based UK manufacturer. Its fabrication facility continues to be well invested,
with the recent acquisition of a plasma profiler to enhance production capabilities. It also has one of the largest press-brakes in the UK, affording unique abilities when working on large scale structural projects. With the uncertainty relating to Brexit, Abacus will
continue to draw strength, advice and support from its partnership with the Chamber, enhance its supplier and customer network and break into new markets.
‘Abacus now manufactures its next generation area lantern, the Orion LED, and its high performance Quartz LED bollard at its headquarters, further enhancing its profile as an East Midlands- based UK manufacturer’
Abacus lighting columns can be found throughout the UK
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