Wheel maker on the road to success

A SPECIALIST fund to help manufacturers emerge from the downturn has helped a Redditch-based pressworker win new business after introducing technology born in the 1960s.

AE Oscroft, which employs 47 people at its Park Farm site, has launched a joint venture that has seen it re-start production of internationally acclaimed Weller Wheels, with many orders already placed from the autosport and specialist vehicle markets.

The £15,000 grant from the Manufacturing Advisory Service-backed Automotive Response Programme gave the company the necessary capital to set-up tooling.

Tim Oscroft, Managing Director at AE Oscroft, said the potential for the new venture was significant.

He said: “We saw monthly volumes drop by nearly 50% last year and this left us with a big gap in the order book that we had to address and address quickly.

“We started talking to Les Weller about the possibility of manufacturing his specialist wheels, which were first manufactured in 1967 but disappeared after his company was bought out by a major German conglomerate in the late 90s.”

He said the firm, which is estimated to turnover £3.2m this year, had the capacity both in terms of space and personnel and, following an analysis of the market, had established there was a major niche for a company in Europe that could supply specialist steel wheels.

“Once we had agreed it was a good business opportunity, we then had the very demanding task of re-introducing the machinery and original technology and ensuring we had members of staff who could run the production line while Les used his contacts to re-establish the customer base,” said Mr Oscroft.

Faced with tighter budgets, the company applied to the Automotive Response Programme for a £15,000 grant to bring the machinery back into use and to fund training and development work.

The assistance was invaluable and not only brought the project forward six months but also helped to safeguard four jobs and possibly create the need for more.

The firm, besides supplying wheels for circuit racing and oval racing teams, is also using its design expertise to develop bespoke wheels for use in off-road, industrial and specialist military vehicles.

Delivered by MAS-WM in partnership with automotive supply chain support network Accelerate, ARP has provided component makers with up to £50,000 to help with business consolidation, refinancing, new product introduction and supply chain improvement.

Peter Roach, of MAS-WM, said: “AE Oscroft is a very progressive company, steeped in tradition yet not afraid to try new things and to diversify to help the business expand and succeed.

“By tapping into the Response Programme, the management team were able to take exciting plans and turn them into reality, bringing an established technology back into the marketplace.”