UK Reshoring

During 2018 The Protool Plastics Group won significant transfer business RESHORED from countries such as China, Vietnam, Finland, Turkey and Romania and we urge more UK companies to follow suit. Companies should not be afraid of reshoring production as in most cases the injection moulding tools can be brought to the UK meaning there is minimal capital spend. Recent years has seen companies looking at the total cost of ownership on products made in low cost countries. Offshoring decisions are often based solely on price, resulting in a 25% to 35% percent under costing of the actual cost to the business.


Shorter Lead Time

Customers are consistently chasing shorter lead times and the ability modify the production process to their needs.
Establishing manufacturing closer to the customer shortens lead times and facilitates a more collaborative working relationship with suppliers.
Shorter lead times also mean less inventory and less obsolete stock at the end of product life and when urgent revisions are required.
Shorter lead times improve cash flow.

Quality & Consistency

The Protool Plastics Group has an excellent record for quality and on time delivery.
All sites are accredited to ISO9001 - 2015
Monthly KPI's measuring on time delivery, start up scrap, in process scrap, overall cost of poor quality, PPM reject, ensure complete business focus on customer quality and service.

Lower Stock Levels

Lots can go wrong when buying from the other side of the World, which often results with you holding higher stock levels.
Manufacturing close to your site minimises unforeseen disruptions to the supply chain.
When placing work over-seas who thinks of extreme weather, nonconforming product, shipping times, air-freight costs for urgent deliveries, customs issues or transportation problems.
Lower inventory levels significantly improve cash flow.

Skilled Workforce

A skilled workforce is instrumental to high quality.
All of our staff are highly trained with toolmakers and injection moulding technicians all having completed traditional apprenticeships.

Cost Reduction

The global marketplace is not as competitive as it once was.
Labour increases and the devaluation of the Pound have significantly increased costs.
All business reshored to The Protool Plastics Group in 2018 returned an overall cost saving to our customers.
The increase of automation in the UK is driving down costs at an increasing pace.
No import duty is applied to mouldings and sub-assemblies made in the UK, very important in uncertain times.

Made in the UK

As we leave the EU more and more focus will be put on items made in the UK as the country looks to improve the balance of trade.
In addition Made in Britain is synonymous with high quality and local production will give significant supply chain improvements.

Overall Cost of Ownership

Overseas workers have seen significant wage increases and this will continue at an increased pace with government control minimums becoming law.
Often the low product cost was based on cheap labour and as such prices are rising fast while overseas suppliers transition to higher levels of automation.
In addition the true cost of production goes beyond the selling price with increased over head costs, such as overseas staff, to ensure batch to batch quality.

Intellectual Risk

The UK is a world leader in innovation and is a secure environment for the sharing of intellectual property, with little and trademark infringement.
Intellectual property rights are heavily defended by UK law.

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