Engineering firm invests in plant and jobs as order grow
A MIDLAND engineering firm has reported a 30% year-on-year growth in total sales as demand for its ready-milled products continues to increase.
Tipton-based Carrs Tool Steels said to keep pace with new orders it has increased staffing levels in its production areas, bringing the total number of employees to 29. In addition, the firm has also invested in new machinery.
The company now operates a 24-hour, three-shift system, which it implemented for the first time in August to turn round an urgent order.
Last year Carrs supplied 15,000 ready-milled pieces in response to an 80% increase in demand from customers for this bespoke service. Items are machined on six faces to specified sizes. The process is a cost-effective alternative to buying standard machined sizes.
Carrs launched its ready-milled service in January 2009, just as the economic slowdown was beginning to hit industry hard.
Andy Eastwood, managing director, said: “Like many companies we were affected by the global downturn and we had to make cutbacks.
“We had just taken delivery of new milling machines, adding cost and raising expectations, but our employees understood the situation and worked with us to ensure the successful launch of our bespoke service.
“We have faced a few problems on the way, but I am very proud of the way everyone coped with the changes we implemented, and they should be very proud of the success we have achieved since then.”
Across all areas of its business, Carrs supplied a total of 81,000 cut pieces in 2010/11, an increase of 32% over the previous 12 months. The company specialises in the manufacture and distribution of tool steel, used in toolmaking for plastic moulds and hot/cold work applications in all kinds of manufacturing.
The Tipton company, which can trace its origins back to 1902 and was the subject of a management buy-out in 1992, is planning further investment in new machinery.
“Through these investments, and by further strengthening the partnerships we have formed with key suppliers, we will improve our productivity and the portfolio of services we provide,” added Mr Eastwood.
“We will be able to offer products of increasing accuracy, in a wider range of sizes and with faster delivery times, as well as reducing waste.
“The market for tool steel in the UK is very competitive and we know we can’t stand still. Our aim is to raise our service levels even further, to continue to offer the newest, most innovative and technically advanced tool steels available worldwide. These products will, in turn, produce machine tools which will last longer, raise output, shorten time to market and improve quality.”
