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Manufacturing focus: Fascia Graphics

It’s manufacturing focus week on Bdaily, and we’re looking at the debate around the UK sector. Here, Paul Bennett, managing director of Fascia Graphics, answers our questions.

Could you briefly outline your field, and where you believe Fascia fit within the UK manufacturing sector?

Fascia Graphics Ltd is the market leader for the production of membrane keypads and graphic overlays in the printed graphics industry. Fascia’s overlays and keypads are on the face of a huge range of everyday industrial appliances such as catering ovens, fire and security equipment, medical monitors, and industrial instrumentation. Our products are not hidden from the end-user; so they must strike the balance between aesthetic perfection and extreme durability.

How do you find the process of working with larger blue chip firms?

Fascia has worked with many world class brands since its inception, and in the early days of setting up the company, even supplied labels to James Dyson. This meant we became accustomed to the requirements of blue chip OEMs quite quickly, and developed robust processes to ensure the highest levels of quality management.

The quality and safety marks required by our customers, include PGAA and PGDQ2 standards, which allow us to print the UL Mark on products to certify that they have been tested and evaluated to nationally recognised safety standards. This is the most accepted certification mark in the US, and it can also help to open up new markets.

How has Fascia been successful when other manufacturers may have struggled in recent years?

We believe we have been successful for a number of reasons. In 2012 we led the market with a series of cutting edge technology investments, which included the installation of three new state of the art machines, which dramatically reduced our carbon emissions and increased production capabilities. Our new plant list includes the UK’s first servo-driven cylinder press (within our industry), a Pick & Place machine for the most precise placement in the industry, and a Digital printer for high quality rapid prototypes. Our prototyping service allows customers to reduce expenditure and operating costs, and review the design of their products prior to full manufacturing.

We also set up a dedicated exporting division in 2010 to capitalise on the growth in emerging markets, and to meet the growing demand of orders placed by our major global blue chip customers. We have since seen an increase in orders from the US, Asia and across Europe, particularly in the medical and security sectors.

What do you think a national industrial strategy should look like?

We would like to see some more support from the Government for manufacturers who would like to invest in carbon reducing equipment. The current economic climate is putting some UK firms off investing in up-to-date equipment. Greater access to grants for new carbon efficient machinery could see companies reduce their emissions and make a difference, as well as boosting their output and the economy.

Apprenticeship schemes benefit business and the economy, and they provide unemployed young people in the UK with a career gateway. The engineering industry in particular holds many opportunities for those looking to enter a secure profession that allows for future progression. Government funding meant that we could take on two apprentices (who have subsequently become full time members of staff), but we would like to see this type of funding more widely promoted to manufacturers like ourselves.

What’s exciting you about your sector at the moment - where do the opportunities lie?

The global membrane keypad market is currently worth $500million, which means there are plenty of opportunities for growth. The most exciting development is where we are seeing a raft of companies, who previously manufactured overseas, re-shoring production back to the UK. This is due to the decline of overseas economies, for example in China, where wage increases, extended lead times and a general slump in the manufacturing sector has put manufacturers off. This presents opportunities for manufacturers in our sector to prove that the UK can be more competitive, and could lead to a boom in British manufacturing.

Companies are choosing to buy British because manufacturing a product in the UK means it can be more closely controlled and reviewed, there are no language barriers when dealing with suppliers, and components don’t need to be shipped or transported overseas. Lead times in the UK are also often three times shorter than those overseas – but we think the main reason is that companies enjoy building a lasting relationship with their supplier, who they can rely on to provide a quality service, time and time again.

Would you challenge the perception that manufacturing is dead?

Yes, it is very much alive and kicking due to the opportunities available for manufacturers as new business is being re-shored, and because of the demand for a high quality British product overseas. Economists from Markit reported in February that output in the manufacturing sector had grown at the fastest rate for 16 months, so we would be surprised if UK manufacturing declined in 2013.

What do you think the UK manufacturing sector does well in comparison to other countries?

In general, we feel that the quality of British made products is higher than in other countries. In our business, our approach to continuous improvement and value engineering all products sets us apart from the competition. For instance, we go one step further with our customers by making suggestions about materials, adhesives and specification of parts, to ensure customers receive the most cost efficient and high-quality product possible.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .