A major restructure is underway at Welwyn Garden City-based precision subcontract machinist Unicut Precision with Jason Nicholson appointed as managing director following the decision by his previous partner, joint managing director, Charles Kenny, to follow interests outside of manufacturing.
Said Mr Nicholson: “Our company has come a long way from the early partnership days in 1989 when we started with second hand autos and lathes. Now with the change of directorship, the time is ripe to restructure and develop the business around a key team of senior managers.”
Mr Nicholson recounts how he and Mr Kenny were both heavily committed to succeed by following a re-investment in the company strategy. As a result, they progressively built a portfolio of 25 CNC sliding head and fixed head turn/mill centres as well as the support infrastructure to the manufacturing operations. “This policy made us very competitive in the smaller turned part subcontract market with customers both in the UK and overseas which contributes export sales equal to 40% of turnover.”
Prior to forming Unicut both directors were time served, hands-on machine setters. Both have kept themselves up to date being involved in programming and setting machines, particularly on complex multi-featured components that have proven to be so important in developing the business. “This working knowledge has also been important in our selection of equipment and options in order to maximise productivity with single operations and unmanned running, the achievement of consistent levels of quality and delivery to customers,” Mr Nicholson added.
An important part of Unicut's operational strategy has been to consistently pursue staff training with frequent personal reviews in order to develop skills and make people totally aware of the importance of their role in the business. According to Mr Nicholson, this is now paying dividends the company reorganises.
Through 2011 Unicut Precision has negotiated five long-term vendor managed contracts and with additional growth created through beginning light assembly operations for customers, this has led turnover to exceed previous peak levels of business achieved in 2008.
Unicut Precision
www.unicutprecision.com
