Jason Nicholson takes over full control of Unicut Precision

Mr Nicholson is now masterminding a restructuring of the operation. "Our company has come a long way from the early partnership days in 1989 when we started with second-hand autos and lathes," he says. "Now, with the change of directorship, the time is ripe to restructure and develop the business around a key team of senior managers." A key theme for the company over its history has been investment, which has seen the company build up a portfolio of 25 CNC sliding-head and fixed-head turn-mill centres, as well as the support infrastructure to the manufacturing operations. "This policy made us very competitive in the smaller turned part subcontract market with customers both in the UK and overseas, which contributes export sales equal to 40% of turnover." Prior to forming Unicut, both directors were time-served, hands-on machine setters. Both have kept themselves up to date, being involved in programming and setting machines, particularly on very complex multi-featured components that have proven to be so important in developing the business. As Mr Nicholson adds: "This working knowledge has also been important in our selection of equipment and options, in order to maximise productivity with single operations and unmanned running, the achievement of consistent levels of quality and delivery to customers." An additional important part of Unicut's operational strategy has been to pursue staff training with frequent personal reviews in order to develop skills and make staff totally aware of the importance of their role in the business. "This is now paying dividends as we re-organise," Mr Nicholson, explains. Through 2011, Unicut Precision has negotiated five long-term vendor managed contracts, and with additional growth created through beginning light assembly operations for customers this has led turnover to exceed previous peak levels of business achieved in 2008.