ENGINEERING
“ We believe our new logo demonstrates the fact that we are a British company through the colouring we ’ ve chosen - we ’ re flying the flag !” says David proudly .
Reflecting on the past 18 months , he added : “ We ’ ve undergone an organisation restructure and are going through a rebranding process and our message is , ‘ We ’ ve been going for 21 years and we ’ re thoroughly looking forward to the next 21 years ’.”
Katmex , established at the end of the last millennium , is at the forefront of 21st-century technology innovation . It produces precisionengineered steel parts and fabrications that are used in the manufacture of earth moving and construction equipment such as dump trucks , excavators and forklifts . Clients include Komatsu , JCB and Caterpillar , and the company works with customers in the UK and overseas .
Being based on Teesside at a potentially pivotal period in the region ’ s industrial history could also prove significant , and Katmex is ready to make the most of the benefits that come on the back of the River Tees ’ new freeport status .
Finance and commercial director Lee Cranston says : “ As a company in the Tees Valley we are keeping a close watch on the exciting changes happening in the area .
“ For example , there are developments over at Teesport and we are looking at the business opportunities for us leading from that . It would be great if we could supply to customers who are on our doorstep .”
Katmex ’ s huge 25,000-sq ft facility in Stockton contains cutting-edge equipment and highly-skilled operators , enabling the firm to compete for and win prestigious contracts .
High-spec kit includes oxy fuel cutting , plasma cutting , shot blast machinery , CNC machining centres and robotic chamfering and welding machines .
Perhaps the company ’ s mission statement sums up its philosophy best , reading : “ Katmex is a forward-thinking business supplying multi-processed steel components , utilising the skills and expertise of our employees to create value for all
stakeholders .” Katmex is certainly committed to working closely with clients to exceed customer expectations and establish long-term partnerships .
And spreading that message , as well as raising awareness of the company ’ s new identity , is an immediate priority .
“ Exhibitions and trade fairs are starting again so we ’ re looking at that ,” says Lee , outlining how Katmex plans to promote its new identity . “ We ’ ve had new marketing material produced to spread the word about our new image .”
The company ’ s new core values are cleverly based around the letters of its name and focus on achieving excellence at all levels of the operation . They are shown in the graphic below :
EEP YOURSELF AND OTHERS SAFE LWAYS RIGHT FIRST TIME EAMWORK FOR SUCCESS AINTAIN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION LIMINATE WASTE CEED EXPECTATIONS
A long-term commitment to staying at the cutting edge has resulted in more than £ 3.5m being invested in new equipment over the past few years and , like all ambitious businesses , Katmex is looking at future capital expenditure to improve its offering , while expanding its customer base .
Lee confirms that capacity is available within the current facilities to cope with any immediate new clients coming on board , though expansion is something the firm would welcome if required in the future .
He said : “ We ’ ve got capacity within our operations as things stand but we are also looking at how automating our processes or expanding our footprint will support out strategy in the future . “ As part of our future , we are also reviewing our strategy on the environmental impact of the business , in order to achieve net zero targets .
“ This is a challenge we all face whether as an organisation or an individual . However , I am confident with the management team at Katmex we can achieve this challenge successfully .”
To discover more about the company , including its new core values , visit Katmex . co . uk
The voice of business in the Tees region | 63