A Kinmel Bay-based company is looking at expansion plans to cope with strong sales both in the UK and overseas markets.
Consort Precision Diamond Co. Ltd., based on Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate, has seen its export sales expanding, particularly in the USA and South America, and is now actively targeting opportunities in China.
Consort Precision is a major supplier to Rolls Royce’s manufacturing facilities in Bristol, Derby and Ansty, Coventry.
The company, established in 1984, manufactures Rotary Diamond Dressers or Diamond Rolls for dressing complex and accurate profiles on to the outside of abrasive wheels. The wheel then grinds the required form on to components such as turbine blades, nozzle guide vanes and compressor blades.
The accuracy of the profile often has to be within 3 micron (three thousandth of a millimetre) and the components are an integral part of the Rolls Royce jet engines used to power the Airbus A380 and the Boeing Dreamliner respectively.
David Morris, managing director, said that supplying to a prestigious name such as Rolls Royce gives the company a certain pride and creditability and the confidence to sell its products throughout the world.
“We have never been afraid of exporting,” said Mr. Morris.
“Indeed we have exported since we started the business in 1984. We have never spent any money on advertising but have relied on recommendation within each of the industry sectors we serve.
“We have built our reputation by providing a first class product at a competitive price. In so doing we have gained the confidence of our customers and the respect of our competitors.”
With the increasing expansion in the aero-engine industry, Consort holds the enviable position of being a preferred supplier to Rolls Royce and is currently expanding its presence within the organisation.
Earlier this year the company had support from the Welsh Government to visit China where it met a number of potential new customers in the aerospace, automotive and manufacturing industries, and the company plans to make another visit to China in 2014.
But Mr Morris said warned that gaining a foothold in a new overseas market is not cheap and finding a suitable agent can sometimes be difficult.
“A lot of the initial market research can be done from a desk but once a decision is made to pursue business in any country, visits have to be made. This can be expensive both in money and time but once successful exporting can be very rewarding and support is available from the Welsh Government”.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “Consort provides a highly specialised service to industry and operates in a niche market within the advanced materials and manufacturing sector and it’s great to hear its expertise is recognised by such a prestigious operation as Rolls Royce.”
“I am also pleased to hear of the company’s expansion plans and that Welsh Government support is helping it access new markets offering potential for growth.”
Consort is currently looking at investing in new equipment to meet the expected increase in demand for the company’s product, with the potential to create vacancies for skilled grinders in the near future.
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