Smart and innovative manufacturing is key to success for two expanding EEF member businesses.
The electronic wizardry of Box Manufacturing is supporting rapid growth for the West Midlands business.
The company has diversified from a small business producing telematic vehicle tracking devices, into electronics subcontract manufacturing and services, which now accounts for 80% of business. Turnover increased by 40% last year and further growth of 20% is anticipated this year.
Box Manufacturing’s electronic capabilities support global industry - from apps for Blackberry and Android phones - to telematics solutions and engine control technologies for JCB - through to automated toilet flushing technology. The company was a pioneer of LED technology, which it is currently applying to a major runway lighting project.
The company’s continuing partnership with JCB goes back to 2005 when Box developed a telematic tracking device to capture data on machine performance in the field and includes the recent launch of the LiveLink engine control unit.
PB Design, based near Bristol, is expanding manufacturing capacity by 50 per cent to satisfy the demands for its market leading standby power solutions. This will enable the company to recruit six new people to expand its existing 40-strong team.
PB Design provides a complete service - from design through production, testing, installation, commissioning and maintenance. ‘Made in Britain’ is the company’s mantra, with all supplies and any sub-contract requirements sourced locally.
Its new Black Start Controller, a microprocessor based control system that reconnects power in the event of supply failure, is undergoing customer trials and is expected to drive impressive future growth.
Its technologies help ‘keep the lights on’, including emergency lighting back up for The Eden Project and standby systems for the London Underground.