Innovation Drives a Healthy Business at Dugdale
Leading independent compounder, Dugdale PVC Ltd, reports an extremely busy trading year thus far.
Managing Director David Outen reports that ‘production at our Sowerby Bridge facility has been utilising the majority of its capacity for some months now. Naturally, we are delighted for this demand and to be servicing such a variety of processors and end-users throughout the sector.’
Outen adds that ‘It might be assumed that the Brexit factor has triggered a rush to stockpile certain materials. There are some small elements of that in the current order book. However, I am happy to say that the lion’s share consists of new grades and new business, particularly in relation to some of our newer PVC alloy materials. In short, the outlook for Dugdale remains extremely healthy for both existing and new opportunities.’
In the medium and longer term – and in common with all UK manufacturing – the Dugdale business would like to see the Brexit issues speedily resolved.
‘All commerce aside, there are plenty of other issues involved – such as the EU circular economy, the REACH directives – in which we and our customers need clarity and decisiveness, one way or another. Dugdale is doing all that it to speak up on these matters and to communicate the needs of manufacturing to our legislators and politicians.’
One such recent example has been Dugdale’s recent appearance in the UK’s Parliamentary review.
David notes that ‘The review is an apolitical publication and one that seeks to inform and update politicians and other organisations on industry best practice and how manufacturing has risen to the challenges in today’s trading. We have enjoyed making our contribution here and can recommend the coverage and the publication to any interested reader.’
Dugdale’s company Management Buy Out (MBO) of 2014 has borne many fruits – not least for investment and business strategy and direction. Outen says that ‘Since our MBO we have backed our compounding business to the tune of some £3.5 million with a further investment this year and next.’
He adds that ‘Mid last year we announced a doubling of turnover within the last decade – a key metric and measure of how far we have come. Versatile and skilful manufacturing systems are part of the story, but, in truth, the main driver at Dugdale is our exceptional customer service. We are PVC experts, pure and simple: We don’t dilute our technical resources or focus on a range of different polymers. Instead, we concentrate on the versatility, cost performance and environmental benefits of PVC – for the benefit of our customers.
‘We supply our customers from concept to complete material solution; helping their processes and production at their place of manufacture, and introduce them to new compounds and new possibilities via our constant product innovation strategy.’
Dugdale also plays a full part in the life of the PVC sector as a whole: Dugdale, for example, is a regular Gold Sponsor of the triennial Institute of Materials PVC exhibition and conference and will be once again fulfilling this role in Edinburgh, April 20-23, 2020.
Dugdale Ltd
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