Member Article

Manufacturer rises to challenge after ‘super bakery’ win

A specialist Stourbridge manufacturer has grown from a standing start on the brink of the global recession to smashing the £3.2m sales barrier in just six years.

Advanced Process Solutions (APS), which employs 32 people between its dedicated Titan Works facility and customer sites across the UK, has seen demand for its turnkey liquid handling solutions increase rapidly, as the food and beverage sector look to meet new legislation and secure greater efficiencies.

The company’s ability to offer a one-stop service for pipework and fabrication, pump valves, mechanical, pneumatic, electrical and process engineering contributed to it recently completing a new installation for one of the industry leaders in the baking industry.

Its track record for delivering high-profile projects on time and to budget has now led to interest from other sectors, including brewing, dairy and pharmaceutical.

“A lot has certainly happened since we launched the business with just a couple of engineers back in 2008,” explained Adam Williams, Sales Director at APS.

“We originally started life providing liquid handling support and repairs, then this grew to encompass the supply of small systems. The closer partnerships we built with customers, and our ability to identify cost and efficiency improvements, quickly saw requests for a more turnkey service…something we were happy to deliver.”

He continued: “We have completed installations for major plant bakeries and independents and believe this is where our core business still remains.

“However, we are also keen to make inroads into new sectors as our experience and services automatically lend themselves to dairies, pharmaceutical firms and breweries. The latter has already seen us complete a project for local company Enville Brewery.

“We’re currently recruiting a new sales manager to target new clients and hope to add an extra £1m to turnover.”

APS offers a new approach to industry, with strict internal quality policies and a bespoke customer care plan ensuring a quick response for contract quotations, plant and system servicing and fast breakdown assistance to minimise downtime.

The British Retail Consortium has recently introduced new legislation (BRC6) to cover verification and validation of system controls to ensure the best possible standards in the food industry.

“Manufacturers are looking to secure the fine balancing act between meeting regulation, whilst still ensuring consistency of supply and profitability,” continued Adam.

“This is where we can help. We are experts at ensuring that all the systems we install meet the required standards and we can also go into existing plant, complete a gap analysis and then suggest improvements that will bring performance into line.

“So far this year, we have already installed plants that meet BCR6, including cream/liquid yeast handling, cleaning in place sets, brine handling, chilling and dosing systems.”

APS has invested more than £150,000 on equipment at its Stourbridge factory, with new drilling, sawing and polishing machines added.

The company, which has taken on an extra ten staff over the last twelve months, has also increased its design capabilities and offers TIG, MIG, Arc, Projection and Stud welding.

Adam concluded: “Our new marketing push will hopefully move us towards the £5m annual turnover mark, not bad going for a firm that has only been in business for six years.

“If we do achieve this plan, it will definitely mean new jobs and opportunities to take on and develop young apprentices.”

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