Manufacturing alliance MAN recruits 10th member
A MANUFACTURING alliance in the West Midlands has recruited its tenth partner to further strengthen its combined services.
Coventry-based Lightning Aerospace is the latest company to join the Midlands Assembly Network (MAN).
The alliance, a group of sub-contract manufacturers, is already settings its sights on inter-trading, sharing best practice and winning new business in the commercial, nuclear and marine sectors.
Employing 32 people across its three sites in Coventry, Lightning Aerospace supplies specialist fabrication and harnesses to the Ministry of Defence. By signing up to the alliance, the firm is expecting to open up this demanding marketplace to other MAN companies.
Joining MAN is the latest development in what has been a milestone year for the firm. In July it completed a buy-out by manufacturing entrepreneur Andrew Redfern, while it has also topped annual sales of £3m for the first time.
“We pride ourselves on our ability to do things differently so when the opportunity came to be part of MAN we jumped at the chance,” said Mr Redfern.
“Naturally, the new sales opportunities that will come from being part of the group was a major attraction, but we are also keen to tap into the knowledge of the nine other businesses when dealing with everyday issues.
“The fact we can split exhibition costs is a big benefit and we are looking forward to really exploring the strength of the brand in all of our marketing material.”
Originally established as part of an Advantage West Midlands-backed automotive initiative, MAN has evolved into a self-sustainable group that boasts a combined turnover of £70m and employs in excess of 600 people.
The five original members – Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, FW Cables and Westley Engineering – have been joined by Advanced Chemical Etching, PP Electrical Systems, SMT Developments, Wrekin Circuits and now, Lighting Aerospace, giving it a complete manufacturing solution for customers in every sector imaginable.
By pooling expertise and capabilities, the coalition has secured in excess of £10m of contracts, including new orders in automotive, aerospace and renewables.
Gerry Dunne, managing director of Aston-based Westley Engineering and chairman of MAN, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lightning Aerospace to the fold. Its expertise in fabrication and specialist harnesses ensures we can offer the customer a complete ‘manufacturing solution’, including all mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering processes.
“The firm also operates to the same principles as many of our members so will fit seamlessly into the way we work.”
Lightning Aerospace fabricates components for use on armoured vehicles and, through its harness division, caters for a host of special projects requiring a strong engineering focus.
