KP expands as orders flood in
KP Industries, the Rochdale-based manufacturer of industrial conveyor systems and handling equipment, has used the profits from orders exceeding £1m to part fund the new manufacturing premises and take on four new employees.
Managing director of the business launched in 2003, Phil Cornell, has hailed the support of Rochdale Development Agency and the Business Growth Hub as orders have flooded in from leading names across all facets of industry.
“We were able to identify how we could be even more successful – particularly by further developing our sales and marketing strategy. In fact, taking their advice on board was directly instrumental in us meeting with one of the world’s leading generator manufacturers,” he said.
KP Industries initially secured an order worth £150,000 in 2014 to supply and install a picking system on the generator manufacturer’s motor production line.
This was followed by the opportunity to tender for a pallet handling system and then an overhead pick and place automated handling solution.
Bringing the generator manufacturer’s total investment with KP Industries to more than £1m, the pick and place system embraces the latest fibre optic technologies and offers advanced product recognition capabilities for tracking components throughout the production stages.
“We had already been considering expansion – both in terms of workspace and personnel,” said Cornell. “These orders, which stemmed initially from our association with Rochdale Development Agency, provided the necessary impetus to further build the business and give something back to the borough.”
As a result of its ongoing successes, KP Industries has invested in an additional 4,000sq ft of manufacturing space adjacent to its existing 6,000sq ft site on Rochdale’s Buckley Road Industrial Estate. The business has also taken on two time-served fitter welders, and recruited both an engineering apprentice and an accounts office apprentice.
“The support of Rochdale Development Agency and Business Growth Hub gave KP Industries the vision to put together a business plan that is now reaping real rewards,” added Cornell.
