Sheffield-based
PCL, a pneumatics manufacturing specialist, has made a £550,000 investment into lean manufacturing and new product development. The company has over the last couple of years been successfully implementing a programme of operational excellence aimed at driving forward efficiency, improving business operations, and enhancing performance and safety. This has included extensive training for its staff, using 5S methodology to improve workplace efficiency and eliminate waste, and Kaizen strategy to create a continuous improvement culture.
Operations director Dean Battersby said: “We have made substantial progress over the last two years, with an investment of £550,000 leading to changes across the board. Like most businesses we endured a challenging 2020 but still managed to achieve our forecast. In 2021 we again exceeded our sales targets and launched new products. In 2022 we are planning further growth and continue to meet our monthly targets, which includes a healthy ratio of new products.
“Further investments in new machinery and products are planned for 2023. We are developing quicker, more responsive and competitive ways to progress from idea into the marketplace and will continue to do whatever we can to meet and exceed customer expectations, improving delivery performance while maintaining the high quality of the PCL brand.
“Supply chains will continue to be a challenge post-pandemic, and we are actively working with suppliers to develop and, where required, expand our supplier base. However, we are investing in new equipment and machines towards increasing capacity and an additional shift to manufacturing more of our components in-house.”
Mr Battersby concluded: “We are proud to be one of the best examples of a manufacturing company in Sheffield and Yorkshire, and putting the customer first is our top priority. We look forward to successful times ahead, working in partnership with our customers and suppliers to help their businesses grow alongside ours.”