Exhall company has lift-off with Manufacturing Growth Programme support

An Exhall-based aerospace precision component manufacturer is flying high after securing a $1 million deal in the United States.

And, backed by support from the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), Arrowsmith Engineering expects to double annual sales to £7m by 2020 after impressing customers with world-class quality and ‘right first time’ performance.

The company has also just been awarded the Silver SC21 award, making it one of a select group of firms across the UK to achieve this supply chain standard.

“Our client base is the 'who’s who' of the aerospace sector," explained Jason Aldridge, managing director of Arrowsmith Engineering. "And the only way we get to supply into that type of businesses is by offering precision components and on-time delivery - the latter is at 98% for the last year. This was a key factor in us winning the new order and will take the business to a whole new level.

"We’ve had to employ 12 new people to cope with the increased demand, including three interns, two apprentices, a quality engineer and six machinists.”

Arrowsmith Engineering, which employs 60 people at its recently extended facility in Bayton Road in Nuneaton & Bedworth district, manufactures a production part for the engines of aeroplanes that fly millions of miles every year. The business has been supported by the MGP (funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Economic Growth Solutions) which provided access to specialist assistance to help manufacturers grow and improve.

Through a 19-strong network of experienced Manufacturing Growth Managers, the programme opens up access for manufacturing SMEs to industry specialists and offers grants of up to £3,500.

Experienced Manufacturing Growth Managers work with SME manufacturers to:

• Create plans for growth and improvement
• Work with the best external experts to implement those plans
• Provide up to 35% of the cost through a growth/improvement grant
• Connect to wider support to maximise opportunities for growth

Support is bespoke so the SME gets exactly the specific assistance they need. These are some of the areas the Manufacturing Growth Programme can help with:

• Lean Manufacturing
• Leadership and management training
• Productivity and capacity
• Innovation and R&D
• Quality systems
• Sales and Marketing
• Supply chain development

Accessing the Manufacturing Growth Programme is quick and easy. Call Michelle Connor on 07790 358 674, email: michelle.connor@egs.live, or visit www.manufacturinggrowthprogramme.co.uk

To find out more about the range of other support available to grow your business, please contact the Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747.