Bristol-based specialist plastics manufacturer Phineas Group, which ‘reshored’ parts of its manufacturing from China a year ago, has created five jobs and secured a £100,000 tooling order since the move.
The firm, which has a turnover of £5m and employs 14 people, is among a growing trend for firms to bring back volume production to the UK. Phineas makes more than 60m plastic shoe hangers a year for stores across Asia, America and Europe. Its products are seen on the rails of most high street shoe retailers such as Next, Marks & Spencer and Asda.
It reshored the manufacturing of six products to the UK from China last year at the same time as moving to a new 18,000 sq ft state-of-the-art plastic injection moulding factory in Hengrove.
The firm has received support from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), which forms part of the Business Growth Service, after encountering some problems maintaining operations following the move.
Managing director Dan Wright said: “We decided it would be ideal if we were able to manufacture more of our products in the UK in order to satisfy growing demand. However, we needed support in developing a clear plan for the future direction of the business and sustaining the new manufacturing facility.”
The firm took part in a strategic management programme led by MAS, which identified the need to have the the right skills in place to sustain and improve production. This resulted in five new jobs. MAS also provided support to streamline production.
Mr Wright added: “By automating our set up, we have been able to reshore the manufacturing of six products previously made in China to our factory in Bristol. Off the back of this, we won a significant contract with a UK company in the medical sector.”
MAS business growth manager Nick Golding said: “It is great to see a business bringing production back to the UK and enhancing the British manufacturing brand. With our support in developing a clear growth strategy, Phineas Group is successfully competing against a number of international rivals in low cost countries.”
Pictured, from left: Phineas Group managing director Dan Wright and Nick Golding, business growth manager at MAS
