A change in perception sets growth plans in motion for PVC compounder

West Yorkshire-based PVC compounder, Dugdale, says recent high profile successes for PVC have brought a revival of confidence that is paving the way for investment, expansion and development. 

The construction of several successful major buildings and installations at the London 2012 Olympics, as well as the recently reported surge in European PVC recycling reported under the Recovinyl scheme, are certainly helping the sector’s environmental performance and credentials.

“We see several signs of renewed confidence in our materials within the architectural and building trades and rightly so,” explained Dugdale’s Managing Director, Dave Outen. “This is immensely cheering to ourselves and our customers and gives us confidence and hope to invest in our joint future.”

Dugdale, which specialises in the development of rigid and flexible PVC compounds and high performance PVC compounds and alloys, has invested significantly in its manufacturing facility in Sowerby Bridge, with this investment set to continue into 2016. The company is planning additional materials capacity as well as the purchase of new compounding machinery, expected by the end of the second quarter of the year. Groundwork construction has also begun on a site adjacent to the main factory that will support and equip an additional materials silo.

In over 50 years of business, Dugdale has developed “literally thousands” of PVC compunds for “almost as many applications”. It now says, however, that its eagerness to expand and develop new products and compounds has been boosted with the appointment of a new staff member. Stuart Hope has been brought into the business in the newly-created position of Customer Development Manager. Within this role, Hope will use his previous 25 years of experience of working in the PVC industry, combined with recent work in technical service within the PVC Stablisers division of Baerlocher UK Ltd, to help Dugdale pursue growth in new markets.

“We are delighted that Stuart has joined us; fulfilling a key role in customer service and development and helping establish new markets and new opportunities for Dugdale,” said Dugdale’s Technical Director, Dr. Jeff Ryan. “We take a pioneering approach to the creation of PVC compounds and alloys – always seeking to give our customers a new and competitive materials edge. Stuart’s in-depth experience of the sector is key to that process. It helps us build a future for all of us - customers and suppliers together.”

Dugdale’s support and confidence in the PVC industry has led it to put its name to one of the sector’s leading events, the triennial PVC conference, which returns to Brighton in 2017. The company, which is sponsoring the event, says it provides an ideal forum for the sector as a whole. “PVC 2017 provides an unrivalled platform for discussion and debate concerning the drivers within our industry, and on a scale not experienced anywhere else in the world. We are delighted to be preparing for a central role in the event – and in the general development of our industry.”