Metflex know how to mould success!

Metflex, the precision rubber mouldings company based in Great Harwood, Lancashire, saw an impressive performance in 2006 with a £6million turnover throughout the year and an increase in sales revenue of £1million over 2007. Metflex even saw an increase in revenue in the US market, despite a poor Dollar.

Over 77 years of trading has given Metflex the experience to support and fulfil their objectives for exceptional quality products, excellent customer relationships and continuous innovation and improvement. Supplying custom-made precision rubber components, Metflex serves a number of industries including gas industries, power transmission, anti-vibration, hi-fi, loudspeakers, general rubber goods and many more offering full services in material development, prototype and product development, tool design and manufacturing.

A number of factors have contributed to the 2006 success for Metflex including increased custom, investment in production facilities and ongoing new product and systems development allowing them to offer even more to their customers.

Increased demand from existing customers in 2006 was partly due to the expansion of the gas market. John Whittaker, Director of Sales also believes that Metflex is attracting many new customers in because they are meeting a need other suppliers aren’t, “2006 saw an increase in numbers of new customers who were dissatisfied with their current supplier and re-sourced to Metflex. Whilst increasing numbers are sourcing components from abroad, Metflex is able to offer excellent quality, unrivalled expertise and competitive pricing from a local source and in 2006 saw an increase in numbers of new customers who rather than transfer business out of the UK, have resourced supply to Metflex.”

Metflex have invested in a new large rubber injection moulding press to complement existing presses, creating extra capacity and offering opportunities for further expansion. Alongside this, development of Spread Coated Fabric capacity has allowed Metflex to enter new markets and utilise even more spare capacity.

Improved production systems and quality control resulted in a 20% reduction of rejects and Metflex are aiming for further improvement in 2007.

Research and Development plays a large part in the success of Metflex allowing them to find innovative new solutions. In 2006 Metflex Trademarked their new DFT™ Dispersed Fibre Technology and applied for a Patent for Cone / Sound Assembly as used in loudspeakers.

Steve Parry, Director of Development & Quality comments, “Metflex is committed to meeting the ever-changing needs of our customers and to establish partnership agreements to ensure long-term co-operation. We aim to provide a quality service whilst maintaining a strong commitment to future requirements via research and development"

2007 sees plans to develop new moulding techniques for large volume shot weight components and moulding equipment to improve competitiveness for high volume running jobs. Metflex will continue to promote and develop DFT™ based products providing solutions for a variety of industries and countries while continuing to serve the market for spread coated fabrics aiming to increase sales further.