China-based HLH, a global provider of prototyping and bespoke low-volume manufacturing solutions, is set to expand its on-the-ground support to UK customers by opening a new facility in 2021.

Headquartered in Shenzhen and Dongguan, the company has the capacity to undertake a wide range of industrial applications, including CNC machining, 3-D printing and rapid injection moulding. Its focus on quality, combined with quick turnround times, has seen demand for its services grow both in the UK and world-wide, with Nikon, Audi, and Phillips among its customer base.

James Murphy, HLH co-founder and vice general manager, said: “Over the last few years we have seen more and more UK manufacturers approaching us for work, typically producing prototypes or small-scale runs of products. This is often low volume work, which our UK customers are struggling to find homegrown suppliers able to take on.

“The lead times for these projects are often very tight, which is where quick and clear communication is key. We already have employees dedicated to providing on-the-ground support to our UK customers, and as demand continues to increase – especially given the lack of competition at this end of the market – we are looking to open a UK facility next year.”

Efficiency of output
HLH works across a number of sectors, from automotive and aerospace, through to consumer products and medical. Its global appeal stems from its efficiency of output, often able to produce and ship high-quality prototype products within a week. In part, this is down to the 12,000m² factory it operates in Dongguan, which contains a host of technologies across six floors.

Just as important, however, is the uniquely international culture of the business, as Mr Murphy, who lived in Sheffield before moving to China in 2006, explained: “HLH occupies a really important niche, as we are located in the heart of China’s manufacturing industry, but we have a distinctly Western service and sensibility about us.

“We have always been geared towards providing an international service, facilitating increased productivity for our customers by assisting in the early stages of product development and production.”

Mr Murphy concluded: “HLH is perfectly suited to providing an ultra-quick turnaround for prototypes or low-volume product runs. This can be invaluable for start-ups or for businesses looking to expand or adapt their offering, however given the demand we have had from the UK, it appears as if there simply aren’t too many other companies offering the turnaround times we can.

“By opening a UK facility next year, we hope we can cut our lead times even further, and continue supporting UK manufacturing.”

For more information, please visit the Web site (www.hlhprototypes.com) or email