Bridgend manufacturing company invests for growth - despite national manufacturing decline.

Steve Clarke, Managing Director of the fast growing manufacturing company Wyndham Plastics and Glass Ltd is a very happy man, and who can blame him. At a time when Wales is unfortunately experiencing massive losses in manufacturing jobs - 4,500 have been lost in the last 6 months, his company is bucking the trend and reaping the rewards of a 4 year, £2 million capital investment programme. Already in the top 10 per cent of UK glass manufacturers and the only company in the UK that manufactures glass and plastic products, WP&G’s aim is to break into the top 5 percent of manufacturers within their market within the next two years. With their excellent UK wide reputation for high quality products and service, this is an ambition that they feel sure they will realise. Flexible and innovative, WP&G Ltd will manufacture virtually any glass or plastic product and they regularly manufacture short and high volume orders for several of the largest national retailing brands and a growing base of small customers. In addition to manufacturing bespoke orders, WP&G Ltd also carry a range of off the shelf products and have their own dedicated glass toughening plant. 

WP&G Ltd currently turnover in excess of £2million per annum, have 30 full time employees and their success in the market is based on delivering high quality and competitively priced products, excellent customer service and a one stop shop for all their customers glass and plastic needs.  Gearing up to greatly increase their manufacturing potential and market share, on the 1st June, 2007, WP&G Ltd officially opened their new 40,000 sq ft factory in Bridgend. Officiated by Lord Kinnock, this part of the investment programme will enable them to manufacture twice the volume of products they were previously capable of. A significant milestone for the Company and a boon for Bridgend, WP&G Ltd is now ready to fully exploit the huge demand for their products, secure the future of the company and create new skilled jobs in the community.

Mr Clarke said, “Manufacturing in Wales has been hit hard with major companies relocating to Eastern Europe to take advantage of lower wages. I think it is time people recognised that the real potential for manufacturing is not with large companies that are offered incentives to come here and then up sticks the minute a better deal comes along, but with smaller, home grown companies like WP&G. We have been in Bridgend for 18 years and have grown steadily and have big plans for the future here in Wales. Yes, China and Eastern Europe are in the market, but they really only have an advantage competing for the larger national contracts. When you target a niche market where quality and service really counts, then the smaller manufacturer has every opportunity to secure ongoing contracts.”

Speaking at the opening Lord Kinnock said, “Resilient economic strength and progress depends heavily on small firms led by people with good ideas and staffed by committed work forces.   Wyndham Plastics & Glass Ltd has those great assets.   That is why the company will continue to succeed and grow - and they will deserve it!"  
Mr Clarke continued, “In every success story there other organisations that play an important role and I would like to thank the Welsh Assembly Government, Bridgend County Borough Council and our business advisers and consultants Business in Focus and in particular Mr Barry Hitchcock for the support they have given the Company.”