Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business issue 32 | Page 17

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 17
Plastic Mouldings Northern
production director Mark Rigg
(left) and team leader Andrew
Stanley with the firm’s new
vacuum forming machine.
New machine investment helps
plastics firm to stay competitive
A County Durham plastics business is combating its battle with rising costs by
investing in a more efficient machine.
By Martin Walker
P
lastic Mouldings Northern (PMN)
has acquired the new industrial
thermoforming machinery, which will
enable the firm to manufacture products
quicker and more cost-effectively.
Bosses say the new Thermoformer will
help PMN maintain its competitive rates
for customers and build on its growing
worldwide client base.
Production director Mark Rigg has installed
the Cannon Shelley machine, which can mould
1m x 1.5m parts, at PMN’s premises on South
Church Enterprise Park in Bishop Auckland.
The new machine can be used and adapted
to accommodate a range of domestic and
industrial parts for refrigerator liners, bath
tubs and shower trays, interior and exterior
automotive parts, fuel tanks and panels for
special vehicles.
The new kit complements PMN’s existing
facilities which include two Gueiss moulding
machines, a Formech moulding machine and
two state-of-the-art five-axis CNC milling
machines.
“We’re getting more larger jobs to
manufacture, so we wanted to expand to
increase our capacity,” said Rigg.
“We’re facing the same challenges as
many manufacturing businesses, but it’s too
easy to just put your prices up and blame
increased costs.
“This machine will allow us to keep our
prices at the same level, and is part of our
continued investment programme to remain
competitive in the industry.
“It will also give us more flexibility and
respond quicker to customers’ demands.
Lead times are getting shorter and shorter
within the industry, and customers are
expecting quicker deliveries.
“We are always customising our machines
to give us as much flexibility as possible
whatever the job, ensuring efficiency of
product solutions to specific customer
requirements.”
PMN supplies DIY chains including
Homebase, B&Q and Wickes, and it also
manufactures parts for the automotive
industry, with clients including Bentley, Jaguar
Land Rover, JCB and Rolls Royce.
The company has also built up an industry
reputation for supplying Jouplast adjustable
risers, which ensure decking and paving
slabs sit even, having previously gained
an exclusivity agreement to distribute the
equipment across Britain.
The company, formed by Mark Rigg and
sales director Freddy Bourdais with two staff
in 2002, celebrated 15 years in business in
2017 with a record turnover, as sales grew
10% to £2.3m and staff numbers rose to 20.
PMN aims to grow even more by doubling
staff numbers and turnover with a new
£1m expansion, creating a new 12,000 sq ft
operation close to its existing premises.
More details about Plastic
Mouldings Northern can be found at
plasticmouldingsnorthern.co.uk, or you
can give the team a call on 01388 777 700.