The UK business was formed in 1968 and is an independent family owned company, manufacturing a wide range of specialised cleaning and maintenance chemicals for the professional cleaning, industrial and automotive markets.
Core operations include the manufacture and filling of water-based liquids into plastic bottles ranging from 250ml to 5ltr, typically packed in cardboard outers and distributed on pallets. Aerosols are filled mainly with butane/propane, but C02 is also used when appropriate.
The company’s manufacturing process is highly efficient, controlled by computer with mass meters and load cells ensuring a good quality product. Raw materials are typically brought in bulk tankers, currently there are 40 tanks ranging in capacity from 10,000 to 50,000 litres. Purchasing raw materials in this form makes production more efficient and the company is able to source super concentrate versions of key items, considerably reducing the incoming transport and packaging environmental impact.
The UK company prides itself on its exact blending techniques. Mixing vessels are fed automatically through mass meters, these batch process tanks vary in capacity and capability. Currently there are 20 such tanks varying from 2,500 to 32,000 litres, some with internal heating, mixers of various speeds are used to optimise product performance. The company is investing in continuous process systems and automated machinery which improves efficiency, produces negligible waste and lowers the environmental impact of all its processes.
Due to continued growth, the company is now in a position to appoint new overseas partners for distribution agreements.
Advantages & innovations
The company uses a bespoke software system which was developed around industry proven hardware and software platforms which has resulted in a sophisticated and integrated management system that accurately monitors all stages of its operations. This includes order process, managing stock levels, obtaining raw materials, the manufacturing process and quality control. Other advantages and innovations include:
- Volumetric levels are to e mark standards
- Caps and labels are applied by machine automatically
- Trigger spray heads are inserted and screwed down by machine to a pre-set torque
- Boxes are made on demand by machine
- Pallets are wrapped automatically
- Different machines available, each different and ideally suited to the task.
Stage of development
Already on the market
Partner sought
This company is seeking long-term distribution agreements with established overseas partners. The ideal partner will have an existing customer network with strong links in the HORECA and professional cleaning sectors. Partners should be financially secure and able to hold stock of the UK company’s products. In return the partner can expect ongoing product training and marketing support and the opportunity to work closely with the UK company in the development of new product lines.
The company will support the distributor within the territory with joint distributor customer site visits and sales training for the distributors sales team as well as bespoke territory exhibition and distributor internal product seminars. The distributor would be expected to inform the company of market trends and new opportunities that can be jointly targeted, after the first year a jointly agreed business plan should be submitted by the distributor to enable the company to provide targeted support and if applicable product development budget and time frame.