UK Enterprise Awards 2021

321 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 Best Injection Moulding Components Service 2021 Wholly owned by four directors, Protool Plastic Components was formed in 1987 under the name of Talana Plastics. Acquired in 2009 by the Protool Plastics Group, the firm has sites in Fareham and Manchester and specialises in the manufacture of injection moulded components, from single units through to full assemblies packed ready for sale, proto- typing, and production volume mould tooling. Proud to continually re-invest in new technology and machinery, the business has been founded upon the four main principles of quality, cost, delivery and management, and this has played a huge part in its success over the years, which has resulted in significant yearly growth. Its success can, however, also be attributed to a passion for UK manufacturing. “Our biggest sales pitch is technical ability,” explains Michael Hadfield of Protool Plastic Components. “Whether it is a full product design or ‘design for manufacture’ analysis on customer designs, we have the team onsite to deliver projects on time, on cost and to the highest standards.” This technical knowledge is strongly backed up with computer generated mould fill, cooling and warpage analysis too. The company is a very adaptable business that can quickly meet the demands of existing and new customers, and its clientele ranges from local manufacturers to global household names over several market sectors which has protected the company from volatility in any one sector. The firm’s operational strategy has several core areas of focus, including to apply its plastic expertise and innovation to new and existing products to ensure the best value solution is always achieved for customers; to continue to reduce its Carbon Footprint through waste reduction, increased recycling and improved energy efficiency; to develop a world class manufacturing facility which is safe, organised, lean, efficient and above all continuously Having supplied injection mouldings for more than 30 years, Protool Plastic Components specialises in the manufacture of components and assemblies for the UK, EU and worldwide markets. We find out more about the company and how it fared during the pandemic. Jun21530 improving; and to continuously invest in the training and development of employees. All the while promoting quality and delivery performance using the highest levels of efficiency. The last couple of years have proved turbulent for the UK for several reasons and Protool Plastic Components has faced challenges on more than one occasion. “As we leave the EU, more and more focus is being put on items made in the UK as the country looks to improve the balance of trade,” explains Michael. “In addition, ‘Made in Britain’ is synonymous with high quality and local production will give significant supply chain improvements.” With sites based in the North and the South, Protool Plastic Components is ideally placed to locally service customers across the whole UK, with the south coast site also ideally placed for EU exports and worldwide sales. “Customers now look at the ‘total cost of ownership’ which has revealed the true cost of manufacture in low-cost countries which has allowed UK manufacturers to quote on a level playing field.” As an injection moulder of PPE since 1987, the firm was able to respond quickly to the Covid-19 pandemic. During lockdown it saw its sales doubling and so it responded by significantly increasing its workforce to cope with the extra demand, giving job stability to existing staff and opportunities for new staff that had lost jobs at other places. “We have a culture where possible, of promoting from within giving all staff equal opportunities to grow in the business,” Michael continues, explaining how the happiness and wellbeing of staff is high on the company’s priority list. “Several members of the management team joined the business in shop floor-based or operator roles and have been encouraged to grow with the business and expand their roles. “We feel that promoting from within allows for fast transition between roles and gives the staff members a deep understanding of the business which in turn allows them to meet all of the customer’s needs.” With regards to the future, Protool Plastic Components aims to continue to promote the use of recycled polymers wherever possible and to guide customer’s designs based on ‘cradle 2 cradle’ methods; to work with a manageable number of strategic core customers; to work across the UK and Europe via its network of sales and project staff; and also to continue to significantly invest in R&D projects aimed at growth markets. With such ambition, plus a stellar reputation for success, it’s no surprise that the company was recently crowned Best Injection Moulding Components Service 2021. Company: Protool Plastic Components Web: www.protoolplast.com