North Yorkshire manufacturer reports record results as sales rise to £22.6m

Lambert, the Tadcaster-based provider of automation systems, equipment engineering and precision components, as recorded a 21% rise in turnover in the last twelve months.

The manufacturer has seen annual sales rise to a record £22.6m, with 80% of equipment built now exported to customers in Europe, North America, South America and the rest of the world.

According to the company, this growth period is largely due to the emergence of digital skills in north Yorkshire as well as the Internet of Things (IoT).

Lambert is expecting turnover to grow again in 2017 and, whilst a large number of contracts are again for customers overseas, there is one UK manufacturing plant that is investing approximately £6.6m in automation.

This project is in production set-up phase and will start to be delivered later this year and into 2018.

Mike Lewis, associate sales director at Lambert, said: “2016 was all about investment in our people and new technologies that will continue to give us a competitive advantage over our rivals…the good news is it appears to be a formula that is working, with more than £4m of new sales already delivered in the first quarter of 2017.

“However, you can’t stand still in what we do and similar levels of investment have been directed into ensuring we are at the forefront of cloud-based automation and cyber physical connectivity.”

He continued: “The consumers desire to personalise and constantly refresh their purchases is driving manufacturers to request automation solutions that are suited to provide lower batch sizes and to be configurable with zero downtime.

“There is also a growing demand for higher productivity that means an ever increasing need to have real time performance data in various locations.”

Lambert was also chosen by the EEF to host its latest Manufacturing Connect event on exploring the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Martin Strutt, EEF consultancy director, said: “4IR is happening and the UK’s success in this global industrial transformation will hinge on manufacturers’ strategies and ambitions.

“4IR goes far beyond simply investing in new technologies and techniques – this new era requires cultural shifts, new business models and the ability to adapt and innovate.

“Manufacturers are ready to do the heavy lifting, but their efforts must be supported across the sector and supply chains are backed up by Government through its new industrial strategy. If we get this approach right, then the UK can expect to be at the forefront of this global industrial wave.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →