Daughter takes over helm of family business in its 40th year

Injection moulder and toolmaker, Andel Plastics, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with new owners, as the founder’s daughter and her business partner take over the helm.

Helen Pitt and Graham Robinson says they are “busier than ever” as the company takes on new contracts and looks to expand in 2016.

“We are busier than ever and the project pipeline looks really good for the next 12 months. We are being very careful not to over-expand, but more expansion is needed to cope with the prospects we have currently,” commented Robinson. “March has been the highest production figures in at least the last 10 years history and that is something we are very proud of.”

Pitt, whose parents founded Andel in 1975, has worked within the business for 20 years.

The company has worked within many industries, including injection mouldings for toys, appliances, the medical industry, plumbing, signalling, and the brewery industry.

The majority of Andel’s work has come from recommendations and, more recently, existing customers. It also claims to have never lost a customer based on quality of service.

Over the last four years, the Birmingham-based company has moved premises and has received grant funding for full rebranding of their new website and brochure.  

This resulted in £200,000 of equipment being installed in its toolroom and has led to employing a trainee toolmaker, with the aim of taking on a further two this year. 

In addition, the company has invested in equipment, including a larger injection mould press, as well as a £70,000 cleanroom for medical projects.

The level of funding available to help them complete these projects has lead to the successful expansion of the business, having doubled the turnover in the last three years and the employees by 30 percent.  

The company says future expansion should follow when the investments already made “comes into their own” over the next two years.