Member Article

Pland Stainless planning for future growth with apprentice drive

A manufacturer of stainless steel sanitary ware used in hospitals, schools, laboratories and veterinary practices, has recruited four new apprentices with help from Leeds Apprentice Training Agency, as the company gears up for growth and invests for the future.

Leeds-based Pland Stainless is one of the leading suppliers of washroom equipment for the healthcare market, education sector and catering industry, with manufacturing facilities based in Leeds.

Operating mainly in domestic markets, the £3.5 million turnover company saw strong sales over the summer months, largely thanks to investment in the education sector following the government’s school meals drive.

“We shipped orders worth £340,000 in August and had another £50,000 of orders in hand,” says Operations Director Ian Hodgson, who took over the company with Managing Director Steve Duree following a management buyout in 2008.

Ian Hodgson sees scope for further growth in export markets, particularly in the Middle East, where Pland Stainless has just landed a £50,000 order for a range of bespoke products from Qatar University.

“We exhibited at the Arab Health exhibition in Dubai earlier this year with UKTI and Medilink. We’re continuing to develop relationships struck up while we were out there,” says Ian Hodgson.

“The order from Qatar is one that we’ve been courting since September 2013 and it’s great to finally get it over the line but we’re aware from experience how much effort is needed to build overseas sales.”

The four new apprentices joined the company in September 2014 and were recruited with help from Leeds Apprentice Training Agency (ATA).

“Essentially the ATA acts as a recruitment agency, helping to match candidates with companies and training providers,” explains Matt Thomas, chief executive of Leeds Apprenticeship Training Agency. “For smaller companies, the agency also acts as the employing organisation, helping to reduce the costs, risk and paperwork associated with employing an apprentice.”

Pland’s four new recruits have joined a 50 plus workforce, with two apprentices working on the shop floor in production, one based in the warehouse and another in business support. All four have had a full introduction to every aspect of the company.

“They’ve been through a 10-12 day induction, shadowing people through the business from sales, through production and accounting to make sure they understand the business, how it runs, the things we do, why and how we do them,” says Ian Hodgson.

“The help we’ve had from the ATA with selection and managing the apprentices has taken a lot of the hassle away. It’s great to be able to bring new blood into the company.”

Shortage of skills is a major issue facing the manufacturing sector and Ian Hodgson, a member of the Leeds Manufacturing Forum, is therefore enthused by plans for a new University Technical College (UTC) in Leeds. UTCs provide 14-18 year olds with a scientific and technical-focussed education and are designed to equip young people to become the engineers of tomorrow.

The bid for a Leeds UTC – put together by a steering group of manufacturers, Leeds Chamber, the University of Leeds and other representatives of the city’s education sector – was given the go ahead by the government in July this year and is scheduled to open in September 2016.

Phil Ball, Managing Director of Kodak Ltd, who chaired the steering group for the successful UTC bid, said: “The UTC represents a turning point for the city’s manufacturing sector in addressing the shortage of skills in the sector.

“Manufacturing continues to play a major role in terms of the number of people it employs and its contribution to output. But modern manufacturing relies on advanced technical skills and know-how so it’s essential that we start to invest in young people to equip them to join the workforce and bring a new generation into industry.”

Cllr Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technology, culture and skills and a member of the Leeds ATA board said: “The skills and know-how of a company’s workforce are one of its most valuable assets. If we are going to bridge the skills gap in manufacturing and other sectors, it’s vital that young people are equipped with the skills they need to join the workforce and that they have opportunities to realise their full potential.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leeds Manufacturing .