Member Article

West Yorkshire manufacturer creates 15 jobs after seeing a 92% increase in orders

West Yorkshire manufacturing firm Olicana Products has taken on 15 new staff and revamped its production processes after seeing a 92% increase in orders.

Olicana Products, which designs and manufactures tube bending for multiple industries worldwide, is also expanding its factory at Ilkley.

Managing director Rupert Pearson said: “We have worked very hard to keep bringing in the biggest and best orders for our business, but this surge was astonishing and we had to be in a position to deal with it.

“We were delighted that our success meant we could offer more jobs in the area, but we had to think very fast and get a plan in place. The company has had to go right back to basics and bring in a structure for recruitment, training and forward planning.”

As part of the high-speed process, Olicana called in management and training expert Andrew Nicholson, who runs Nicholson Consultancy.

Andrew Nicholson, who is based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham said: “Phase 2 is already well under way, with more coaching and Lean Manufacturing techniques to be implemented to increase productivity and take quality to the next level.

“Production manager Jason Beever and his team have faced a lot of challenges but they’re now beginning to see the benefits: they’re under less stress, they can cope with much higher workloads, and they’re back in control.”

The Manufacturing Advice Service has also been supporting Olicana and MAS adviser David Whiteley said: “We’ve provided a mix of strategic assistance and funding for Olicana, which is a fantastic manufacturing business that, with the right amount of targeted support, is now enjoying a sustained period of growth… a perfect example for other Yorkshire manufacturers to follow.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .