Dugdale expands capacity to meet demand for small lots
Specialist PVC compounder Dugdale Ltd has just completed a 12 month programme of investment and business development which has increased its capacity for small lots and put fresh focus on factory efficiency, product quality and customer service. It has also expanded its range of technical flexible PVC compounds through acquisition of the Berwin Group's flexible PVC compounding business.
Dugdale Managing Director Dave Outen says the recent investment will enable the company to meet customers' evolving needs even more efficiently, with faster turn-round of orders and products which comply with the current REACH directives.
In the past year, Dugdale has invested more than £750,000 in new machinery at its Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, factory. Included in this is another high-speed mixer-cooler system and a new twin-screw specialist laboratory extruder. This follows the commissioning of a Battenfeld-Cincinnati twin-screw compounding line earlier in 2010.
Outen says: "Given the current market conditions, where inventory and unit costs are under increasing pressure, our customers need a responsive supplier who can consistently meet their requirements for smaller, more frequent PVC compound deliveries.
"The laboratory extruder has a dual role, enabling us to test PVC compounds more rigorously, and also to develop new materials to customers' specifications. The extruder will play an important part in servicing the former Berwin customers whose requirements have already added considerably to our flexible PVC range, and are likely to provide many further product development opportunities for us."
He says the acquisition of the Berwin PVC compound business – which followed Berwin's decision to concentrate on its rubber and silicone compounding activities – is now complete, with Berwin's PVC technology and customer base fully integrated into Dugdale's operations.
The portfolio acquired from Berwin includes flexible PVC compounds, ranging in hardness from 35 to 99 Shore A, and PVC alloys – typically PVC/NBR and PVC/PU – for processors serving customers in industries such as automotive, oil, medical, construction and engineering.
"We continue to look for opportunities to invest in order to improve further our quality and service to meet the rising needs and expectations of our customers. As a specialist compounder, Dugdale strives to maintain the highest possible standards in all aspects of the business and our future investment programme will reflect this commitment," says Outen.
