Halesowen based Glassworks Hounsell is celebrating its 125th anniversary by announcing an impressive turnover increase of more than 50% from 2011-2012.
The Black Country specialists in precision engineering have recently taken on more work due to an increased demand for their first class services.
Following these increases Glassworks has also invested in a new major factory unit with a view to expand its capabilities. One of the reasons for their positive growth is the YMT146 CNC machine, which enables Glassworks Hounsell to improve productivity. They are combining this with investment into a bespoke factory management system to allow real time data capture and analysis to further improve efficiency.
Commercial director William Brinkman said: “There has been considerable investment in new facilities with the intention of taking on more business and expanding further. We’re investing to expand and we’re expecting next year to be a big year for us.”
Despite the recession creating a gloomy cloud over the manufacturing industry, a lack of demand is certainly not a factor affecting Glassworks Hounsell in their 125th year. William added: “We’ve always run a very tight ship. We’re now in a position to push on without being beholden to the banks, which perhaps some smaller firms will be. We continue to adhere to very traditional values, which we’ve always upheld by trying to provide a good and valued service. This enables customers to trust us to deliver on what we say we’re going to do. As a result our business is growing.”
Glassworks Hounsell dates its roots back to 1887 when John Hounsell founded Hounsell Engineering Limited. That company later merged with Glassworks Equipment Limited at the turn of the millennium to establish the business in its current form. William, whose father joined Hounsell Engineering some fifty years ago, expects the company to mark the milestone later in the year. He said: “We’ll be exhibiting at the Glasstec trade fair in Dusseldorf at the end of October. It’s a big glass show to be involved with so we’ll probably base something around that.”