metal removal solutions in the UK


should be competent to deal with all manner of queries via phone or email, so that both current and new clients get the best advice and service. As members of the British Abrasives


Federation, Master Abrasives is one of the companies which has the responsibility to offer training courses in grinding and abrasive products to clients, and it takes this very seriously. Again, there is a sound business case for doing so too. One of the main areas of interest for


me when I was shown around the premises was the manufacturing space. Making abrasives seems to use a lot of space, but not that many people since it largely consists of converting jumbo rolls of abrasives into the various formats needed for different kinds of machines. I saw piles of sanding belts, sanding discs and pads all neatly stored on racks awaiting distribution. Master Abrasives remanufactures


abrasive products from major companies like Sia and Norton St Gobain and 3M, as well as making a range of lower cost products too. Most of these products are sold via distributors, but some are sold directly to end-users. Paul also told me about the


company’s initiative to provide ‘Solutions for Industry’ ranges under the Master Abrasives banner that aims to provide tailored abrasive solutions. As suppliers to both Troy and the THS buying groups, there are significant opportunities to develop this aspect of the business, especially since we are still no wiser about how Brexit will affect the economy and industries in particular. Of course, no business can afford to


for the company in the short and medium term. His answer was short and sweet – to achieve a turnover of £10 million for the company. And the way that the management


team is going to achieve this has already been spelled out. Firstly, by engaging more fully with


customers via social media and the company websites, Paul is already getting more exposure for the company and its products. So much business is done online these days and so much information is needed in specialist product areas, that Master Abrasives has invested time and money on its web presence in order to retain its position as a specialist and knowledgeable supplier of abrasives and grinding products Secondly, Abigail, the Marketing


Manager, has the responsibility of coordinating and originating market responses for the business in the widest possible arenas, so that it can act on any useful information for clients and turnover. Understanding and following up on customers’ needs and wants is also key to growing the business – being proactive and listening to them is bound to bring further business. Finally, there is the need to diversify


that we have already looked at above – dealing with related product lines that can be sold alongside the core offering of grinding and abrasive items. Slightly further ahead into the future,


Paul Batson MD


ignore Brexit and when we discussed it Paul adopted the same pragmatic approach that so many businesses have, which is that it will happen, and we need to have plans in place to cope with it when it does. In the short-term though, Paul mentioned that we have all been clobbered by exchange rates caused by the fall of the Pound, as well as innate inflation from within the system. This again, puts the squeeze on margins, but businesses try to use various strategies to cope. With 50 years of Master Abrasives behind us, I asked Paul what his aims were


Paul predicts that abrasives will always be needed, but not necessarily in the form we use them now. The growth in use of precision-sized ceramic abrasive grains is important, and the various bonding methods are changing too. This


again reveals a role for Master Abrasives in making its clients aware of new developments which might be more efficient for them. On the other hand, Paul thinks that good old aluminium oxide-based abrasives


will still be around for a few years, simply because they are good enough and cheap enough for the jobs that they are currently used for – decorators, DIYers


and the like don’t really need anything more sophisticated – yet! Thank you to Brillpix Photography for images supplied


telephone 01444 450071


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