Member Article

MAS helps Exhausts UK move up a gear

Sheffield-based Exhausts UK is clocking up an impressive performance thanks to continued support from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS).

Over the past twelve months, the company has created one new job (taking the current workforce to 12), with plans to create a further two positions in 2013. Turnover has increased 15% with a further 18% increase forecast in the next financial year - this will take the turnover to almost £1m.

The business is a leading UK manufacturer of high quality performance exhausts systems, supplying the trade and several high profile customers and also runs an active e-commerce site trading under the brand name of ‘Cobra Sport’.

Exhausts UK was established in 2004 and run by siblings Rachel and Peter Jarvis. However, exhausts have been in their family for over 40 years with their parents previously running Ascar Exhausts Ltd.

“We first approached MAS three years ago when we won an order to supply exhausts to Subaru UK dealerships. It was a great thrill to get the contract, but we quickly realised that we would have to gear up for an increase in production.

“The expertise provided at the time, including the implementation of a new dedicated production line for volume manufacturing, along with the introduction of 5S (workplace organisation method) was invaluable.”

Exhausts UK has continued to work with MAS on a number of successful projects. Earlier this year Advisor Peter Rooney made a return visit to look at introducing a more strategic approach to the company’s sales and marketing activities.

However, after lengthy discussions it was agreed that before embarking on this ambitious exercise there was an urgent need to deal with pressing issues in the back office and to also increase the efficiency of handling the volume of work running through the production facility.

Rachel said: “Working with MAS has revolutionised the way the whole business is run. Peter Rooney really goes the extra mile for us and he has helped to introduce a whole new way of working, including improved job sheets and systems for monitoring orders and overseeing the installation of a new bending machine. He is very ‘hands on’ and works closely with our staff and makes sure new systems are understood and implemented.”

She added: “Our people have enthusiastically taken on board the changes which have been introduced. Everything is much more organised and departments now work together more effectively and this has resulted in the whole process running smoothly from orders being taken through to delivery.”

The business is now turning its attention to increasing exports, an area that offers significant potential for growth.

“Currently, exports make up 5% of our turnover, but we are confident there is a demand for performance exhausts across Europe. Over the next year we will be attending trade shows with the aim of promoting our exhausts and making new contacts,” added Rachel.

For further details on MAS visit www.mymas.org or follow @mas_works on twitter.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .