In Brief: Panel Systems; LVF; A-Safe
SHEFFIELD’S Panel Systems, a manufacturer of decorative and composite panels, has invested in a new CNC punch machine to enable it to expand its metal fabrication services to customers.
The company, based on Parkwood Industrial Estate, has invested £180,000, supported by Yorkshire Bank and a RGF (Regional Growth Fund) grant, in the new punch equipment.
The equipment will be part of Panel Systems’ new Architectural and Composite Panels (ACP) division, which will enable the company to create more complex metal shapes from steel and aluminium for architectural panels and sheet metal work for curtain walling and the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) markets.
Chris Ibbotson, managing director of Panel Systems, said: “The construction industry is a major market for Panel Systems and we are increasingly asked to fabricate larger and more complex architectural panels. There is also the opportunity to add ancillary items such as brackets to our product range. We expect our investment in the latest CNC punch equipment will help us to further develop our business in this area at this exciting time for our company.”
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THERMOFORMED packaging specialist Leeds Vacuum Formers (LVF) has grown its business with Morrisons following an agreement that will see it supply four additional product lines into the supermarket chain’s in-store bakery and deli sections.
The West Yorkshire-based company had previously supplied just one line to Morrisons, but it said a combination of its ability and capacity to take on more lines and its competitive pricing saw it awarded the extended contract.
The products being manufactured by LVF include a range of two part cake dome packs, hinged packs for a variety of bakery and deli applications, and a pot and lid for use in in-store cafeteria.
Nigel Coates, managing director of LVF, said: “Expanding the work we do for Morrisons has been a key target for some time and securing these additional lines is a great boost for the business. We hope though it is only tip of the iceberg and we can go on to secure even more work from them as 2015 progresses.”
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HALIFAX manufacturing company A-SAFE has secured a £60,000 grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The funding, which will be invested in plant and machinery at the company’s headquarters in Elland, will be used to significantly increase capacity and product range, safeguard existing jobs and create a number of new roles.
A-SAFE, which invents and manufactures a range of protective barriers for industrial workplaces, has expanded rapidly in the last three years, growing between 40-70% annually.
The company now has offices in seven countries and a worldwide workforce of over 150. A-SAFE won the Queens Award for International Trade in 2014.
Since moving to new premises in 2012, output at the facility has doubled, but the company says global demand for its cost saving barrier range means capacity will need to double again over the next two years to meet requirements.
