Organic sales growth and an acquisition trail that has seen the company purchase the DCS Group and Kerstar Ltd in the past six months, resulted in the decision to create a central facility that would be responsible for Filtermist’s logistics operations. The move will further enhance stock control and delivery lead times, as well as release additional capacity to increase the firm’s metal fabrication footprint.
“Domestic and export orders have increased dramatically over the past five years, as the global demand to create cleaner, safer and more productive workshops that deliver clean air, continues to grow,” explains James Stansfield, CEO of Filtermist International. “With volumes increasing and additional capacity required as a result of our acquisitions, we made the decision to increase the size of our footprint. It made perfect sense to do this by consolidating certain manufacturing operations at our current headquarters and centralising assembly and distribution in the new facility.”
Stansfield continues: “There has been investment in new equipment and hardware for both Telford sites, including additional welding bays, cranes and a new CNC spinning machine. Our specialists are also exploring the possibility of integrating additional automation into the production process.”
The distribution centre was officially opened by James Selka, CEO at the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) as part of an open house designed to showcase the company’s full product range and celebrate 50 years in business. Over 120 visitors were given guided tours of the current manufacturing facility, as well as the new building.
“Telford is the ideal location for this distribution centre thanks to its proximity to the motorway network and good connections for export markets,” says Stansfield. “It’s broadly accepted that Telford is also the home of the ‘industrial revolution’, so it’s fitting that our engineering and manufacturing operation continues to grow in the area.
“Half a century in business is a great achievement,” he concludes. “This is just the start and we have a lot of exciting plans for further investment and the potential for future acquisitions over the next 18 months.”
