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FBC Manby Bowdler advises on major expansion at Walsall manufacturer- 14/06/2010
West Midlands’ law firm FBC Manby Bowdler LLP has advised on a major expansion at a Walsall window and door hardware manufacturer.
Andrew Wynne, a partner in the Wolverhampton Commercial Property Department at FBC Manby Bowdler, has advised Trojan Manufacturing Group on the new lease of a 40,000 sq ft industrial unit in Fryers Road, Bloxwich, Walsall, which will increase the company’s manufacturing and warehousing capacity by more than 100%.
Established in 1992, Trojan Manufacturing Group manufactures architectural hardware, zinc diecasting, plastic mouldings and numerous assemblies for automotive, computer and industrial customers. The group also has its own manufacturing base in Suzhou, China.
Trojan sells its products predominantly through specialist distributors across the UK, Ireland and into export markets. Many of its customers are blue chip companies who specialise in the fenestration industry and supporting markets.
The company presently employs 60 people in the UK and more than 250 in China.
The relocation into Fryers Road from two existing manufacturing units in Walsall is the culmination of a two year change in strategy born out of the economic downturn, which saw the company refocus on high volume products, improve market share by better use of distributors, rebrand under one identity, and ensure different operations within the company worked together more efficiently.
“As with all manufacturing industry we were hit hard, but we saw the economic crisis as an opportunity to refocus the business and improve our business efficiency,” says Group Managing Director Tony Chadwick.
“We have always designed Trojan products with in-built special features to save customers time and cost, coupled with numerous technical advantages. We have focused on improving efficiencies in their production and also ensure we use distributors who understand and know how to sell Trojan products.”
The change in strategy paid off with a major increase in demand for Trojan’s products over the past 12 months, leading to an increase in turnover of some 50% in the last financial year. A further 30% increase is forecast for the end of the current financial year. Overall sales have more than doubled in the past two years.
“Our expansion has been the result of hard work. Its scale has shocked some of our customers and competitors. The new premises are already helping us to further improve manufacturing efficiencies, enhance customer response times and communication. There are also now improved R&D and testing facilities, ” says Mr Chadwick.
“Andrew and the team at FBC Manby Bowdler have been superb. They have been invaluable not just in securing these new premises, but in helping us through recent tough times with advice on company structures and employment matters”
Mr Wynne said: “Trojan Manufacturing Group is another wonderful example of an innovative Black Country manufacturer which has not just come successfully through the economic bad times, but managed to substantially grow its business too.”
With 39 partners, FBC Manby Bowdler is the fourth largest law firm in the West Midlands. The firm has offices in Wolverhampton, Willenhall, Telford, Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth.