West Suffolk Manufacturing Group Celebrates 5th Anniversary

About 5 years ago, Richard Bridgman, Founder Owner of Warren was asked if he would chair a manufacturing group in West Suffolk.

Here is Richard’s account…

It’s hard to believe that it’s been five years since the inception of the West Suffolk Manufacturing Group. What started as a simple idea has blossomed into a thriving community of industry professionals, thanks to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.

Reflecting on the journey, it all began with a simple question – would I chair a manufacturing group in West Suffolk? Perhaps it was because of my experience in starting and chairing similar groups in Kings Lynn and Thetford. However, the success of these endeavours would not have been possible without the support of the local councils.

At the West Suffolk Manufacturing Group, I have had the privilege of collaborating with James Talbot from the West Suffolk Council, whose efforts have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life. From organising venues to inviting speakers and keeping members informed, James’s dedication has been the cornerstone of our success.

Our meetings, held at members’ factories or the West Suffolk College, have been a highlight of the group’s activities. Each gathering typically begins with a talk and tour by the hosting member, offering valuable insights into their operations and processes. Over the past five years, we have had the opportunity to visit esteemed companies such as Treet, Unisurge, Claydon Drills, Videndum, TAIT, Camden Boss, and even the groundbreaking XR LAB at the West Suffolk College.

As we celebrated our 5th anniversary with our largest attendance yet, (over 40 participants), we had the privilege of visiting Sealey HQ in Bury St Edmunds. The tour of their facilities highlighted their remarkable growth over the years.

Following the tour, we were treated to enlightening talks from esteemed speakers, including Julia Nix from DWP, Yvonne Mason of “icanbea,” and Kate Price-Thomas from the Shoestring Project at IFM Cambridge. To mark this special occasion, our own Suzie crafted a delectable Celebration Cake, which was enjoyed by all. Additionally, the venue was adorned with large No. “5” helium balloons, specially made by our member Oaktree in Mildenhall – which added to the atmosphere, despite some personal aversions!

As we look back on five years of growth and collaboration, I am filled with gratitude for everyone who has contributed to the success of the West Suffolk Manufacturing Group. Here’s to many more years of innovation, partnership, and shared accomplishments. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.

Will’s Trip to India

In June, our MD Will embarked on an exciting adventure, travelling all the way to India to visit our machine partners at Suba Solutions. The journey was quite a long one, spanning nearly 24 hours in total. Will’s journey began at London Heathrow, then took him to Abu Dhabi before reaching Delhi. From there, he hopped on another 3-hour flight to his final destination in Coimbatore.

The purpose of this extensive trip was to address any challenges when machines arrive at our factory. As we aim to increase the number of machines coming from India, it was crucial for Will to ensure they meet our desired quality standards. He also examined the supply chain for the machine parts and discussed any problem-solving strategies that may be required.

To streamline the process, Warren has agreed to work on the software of the machines arriving from India. This will ensure that the software matches the same high standard as our other machine builds. We will also provide ongoing support for any software issues once the machines are sold. Will reported that the trip was fantastic for strengthening our relationship with Suba. It was his first time visiting India, and he couldn’t help but be amazed by the country’s beauty, the incredible food and the friendliness of the locals.

Will also mentioned that he was relieved he didn’t have to navigate the roads himself, as India has various modes of transport and it could be quite challenging to drive without prior knowledge of the area. Overall, it was an incredibly beneficial visit, strengthening our partnership and paving the way for future success.

Here are multiple photos from Will’s remarkable trip…