Walsall pattern maker drives off with auto award

One of Walsall’s most progressive automotive suppliers has demonstrated its world class performance by landing the industry’s leading honour and a £10,000 cash prize. Reliance Pattern Making Co, a leading producer of vacuum forming and polyurethane foam tools, walked off with the Accelerate Small SME Award last week at the ICC in Birmingham. The company, which employs eight people, impressed the judges with its ability to work with PDS Consultants on improving Quality, Cost and Delivery scores and securing a host of new orders. “Today, many of the firm’s parts go on to be used in the latest Aston Martins, Jaguars and, more recently in JCBs,” elaborated Malcolm Bird, Chair of the Accelerate Judging Panel. “This growing client base has only been achieved thanks to a new drive for best-in-class performance and a willingness to re-invest most of the profits back into machinery and new facilities.” There is no doubting the impact of this commitment, with Reliance using the acquisition of a 5-Axis MAKA CNC machining centre and the launch of a new prototype and production forming shop to take turnover past the £700,000 mark. Andrew Neal, Managing Director, added: “The Accelerate Award is a massive achievement for us and shows how important it is to grasp the nettle and really attack the opportunities that undoubtedly exist.” The fifth annual Accelerate Awards evening, which recognised excellence in component supply and world-class performance, attracted over 450 people from the automotive world, including prestigious manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Honda, Jaguar and MG Rover. Joining Reliance on the winner’s podium were Droitwich-based Barton Cold-Form (Large SME) and Tolwood Ltd (Out of Area). David Malpass, Senior Operations Manager of Accelerate, concluded: “The three companies are all excellent examples of what can be achieved by modern day companies and highlight the wealth of talent and creativity the region and the UK have at their disposal."

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