Manufacturer heads for third decade with renewed growth strategy

A WOLVERHAMPTON manufacturer has pledged to continue investing and growing the business as it prepares to enter its third decade.

Zaun, which makes high security and perimeter systems steel fencing, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The firm said it had reached the milestone thanks to a combination of bold investment decisions, innovation and client support.

Alastair Henman, co-founder and director of the firm, said: “Trading conditions have been tough for a fair proportion of those 20 years, so we have had to innovate, invest and add more value to keep ahead and busy.

“Our ongoing investment in people, equipment and relationships has ensured we have the most modern machinery and production software.  This reduces wastage and speeds up production times, giving us the edge over the competition.

“And contractors have witnessed the change in emphasis and our commitment to customer care and strengthening relationships and are consequently collaborating on more projects with us.”

The business started up in Rupert Street in Birmingham, importing mesh from Germany.

However, a lack of space along with the lure of greater support from Wolverhampton Metropolitan Borough Council tempted the firm to relocate to its current five-acre site on Steel Drive to the north of the city.

Next followed investments in the 44,000 sq ft, multi-million-pound Paul Holloway Manufacturing Facility that now houses the world’s largest mesh weaving machine. This produces the firm’s ArmaWeave, its most intruder-resistant product for the high security market.

The past year has seen Zaun buy a new tube laser cutter, a further mesh welding line, and automation of other key processes to further enhance its manufacturing capabilities and capacity and cut out waste.

Additional bailers and squashers have boosted recycling while a new forklift truck has improved materials handling.

The new production equipment coupled with streamlined production techniques have resulted in Zaun becoming the leanest manufacturer in the perimeter systems market.

“The political, economic, technological and social environments have changed beyond recognition in those 20 years, but we have invested in the belief we could produce innovative products our customers would want – and it’s kept us ahead of the curve,” added Mr Henman.