Insights

Established in 1903, Thomas Howse Paints Limited specialise in manufacturing industrial powders and paints and were acquired by the Sheibani Group in 2020. The business had a manual paper-based approach to sales, marketing, innovatory management and the manufacturing process, which had led to inefficiencies across the business. In 2023, Competitive Edge was tasked by the General Manager, Gary Plant, to evaluate Thomas Howse inefficiencies in its current processes and address them with a fit for purpose company wide digital solution. A company wide audit was conducted by Competitive Edge and an MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) or an ERP (Efficiencies Resource Planning) System was identified and recommended. The client was referred to the Made Smarter project where they could receive a further £20,000 match funded grant for the system. Going forward this solution will also help the business to become paperless, reduce wastage and bolster its carbon-reduction footprint. General Manager, Gary Plant, thanked Competitive Edge for their professionalism and excellent service provision.

BMI Engineering Limited specialise in machined parts for a wide range of industries. In 2006, BMI Engineering Limited commissioned Competitive Edge to look at and identify opportunities for manufacturing components for the Indian market. A strategic review was carried out in India for potential new partners to create joint ventures for strategic alliances. The Managing Director, John Clarke, was accompanied by Jit Gatcha of Competitive Edge to meet with the identified parties in India, and discuss the possibilities and opportunities in the Indian market. A strategic plan was developed by Competitive Edge for BMI Engineering Ltd to go forward. In addition, a meeting with John Deere India Ltd was setup by Competitive Edge where a presentation was delivered on behalf of BMI Engineering, with John Clarke, to supply to the Indian market. Competitive Edge also supported BMI Engineering with numerous projects and helped the business secure grants to the value of over £200,000. The Managing Director of BMI Engineering, John Clarke, was delighted with the excellent service provided by Competitive Edge.

Davenports Brewery Limited was established in 1829 and is a pub and brewing company. In 2023, Competitive Edge were contacted by the Manager, Cen Hayward, to come in and carry out a strategic review of the current manufacturing and business processes. The review highlighted that the beer brewing division was brewing in a very inefficient manner and a strategy was developed to address this. A digital solution was identified, and a digital roadmap was produced. As a result, the brewing division has been completely refitted with IoT monitoring of production and an MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) or an ERP (Efficiencies Resource Planning Solution has been identified for implementation with grant support. The manager, Cen Hayward, commended Competitive Edge for the work carried out.

Crazy Gin Limited were established in 2016 and combine British and Indian flavours to create their gin. In 2023, Competitive Edge were called in by the Managing Director, Bruce Nagra, to carry out a marketing audit to help the company to target different sectors of their market more effectively. In addition, they also wanted expertise to help with their in-house digital capabilities. A total market and product review was conducted and as a result new sectors were identified to be targeted, and product positioning was addressed. New potential clients were also contacted, and appointments were made. Furthermore, advice was provided on harnessing digitisation of the business through an MES System. The Managing Director, Bruce Nagra, was very pleased with the outcome.

Blueflame Profiles Limited was established in 2009 and are industry leaders in steel profile cutting. In 2023 they asked Competitive Edge to come in and help them increase their manufacturing capacity and efficiency across the business. As a completely paper-based business, apart from their finance which was using accounting software Sage, it was apparent that the business needed to move away from a paper-based system to a digital one. As a result, a strategic review of the manufacturing, administration, stock and finished goods was conducted and a digital roadmap was produced with a digital solution and stage gates to adhere to. The Managing Director, John Smith, was very pleased with the outcome.

Sertec Group are one of the largest automotive pressing and tooling outfits in the UK, with a turnover of £150 million in 2010. In 2010, Graham Mosedale commissioned Competitive Edge to conduct a strategic review and feasibility study to set up a plant in Egypt. With the aim to primarily supply BMW with automotive pressings, Competitive Edge went out to Egypt to work closely with the Egyptian Government and BMW to complete the project. We concluded that there were additional customers within Mercedes and JLR, who would also use this facility and identified £2.5 million in available funding to facilitate the setup of this plant. Additionally, the client was advised to wait 12 months before going ahead with this project due to the political environment. Graham Mosedale commended our thorough research and outcome of the project.