Engineering Update meet Chris Greenough (Salop Design and Engineering LTD)
Q: Thank you Chris for sitting with me today, Salop Design have been at the forefront of manufacturing pressings and assemblies here in the UK. What has been the key to your continued success?
Salop Design has built a reputation on tackling problem product and processes, and turning them into positive results for our customers. We have expertise in standard presswork, deep draw and heavy gauge, we have a machine capacity list that allows us to look at very varied projects and this has meant we are active in many manufacturing sectors. We are committed to investing in new capability, and have looked to grow our service range, all housed in our large manufacturing site in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
With a forward looking owner, and a dynamic management team, we are always looking for new markets and opportunities that complement the existing portfolio.
The company has been built on quality of product and service, and investment in new equipment leads to competitive pricing, this backed up with our own haulage company means we have quality, price and delivery covered.
Being part of the Midlands is key to our work, we look to the region for customers and suppliers, and also work with many companies to ensure that we keep as much of the wealth and spend within the region.
Q: The UK is made up predominantly of SME’s. How important are they to the future of the UK Economy?
As most companies in the UK are SME status, is seems strange to me that there is not more engagement with them from policy makers, the government seems to focus on OEM’s and bigger business, and is missing that the next capacity leap for the UK will come from engaging and supporting SME’s. Industry 4.0 is the next industrial revolution, and there needs to be more focus in including SME’s in the discussion.
From productivity improvements and automation can come increased outputs and this can lead to growth from all business, we need to make sure that business in the UK is ready for the next stage of revolution.
Q: As we all know there will be big changes happening over the next few years here in the UK, what can we do to maintain our prominent position within the global manufacturing industry?
We need to make sure that the UK is ready for the Brexit road ahead, this includes strengthening our position in the wider world market. A good start has been made by the announcement of the industrial strategy, this as the name suggests is a commitment by the government to increase awareness and indeed support for manufacturing and business in general. New funding and a resurgence in the main infrastructure of this country, from making our own steel, to road and rail improvements, right through to high speed broadband roll out are all things that can keep us competitive.
The made in Britain brand respects high regard from around the world and this is something that we can optimise and maximise on, we can look to other markets rather than just the EU and this will lead to globalisation and a better understanding of where we stand on the world stage.
Q: Thanks again Chris for your time today, final questions. After such a successful half century what can we expect from Salop over the next 50 years?
Salop Design continue to invest and support the region, we are ready for the coming years, and look to the future with optimism. Manufacturing is a great sector and there are real opportunities for ongoing careers, and we need to make sure that the next generation of engineers are fully informed and enthused to make a decision on their futures.
There will be new ways of working, new processes and exciting developments that will need a resolve and bravery to tackle, and as always Salop Design will be ready to be at the fore front of these exciting times.
