Our Hastings, UK factory has received a fresh makeover with a newly dedicated cable, LED and connector production department!
With demand steadily growing for our custom build, cutting and assembly over the last several years, we decided to provide our cable team with a fully upgraded department to ensure we’re at the very top of the game.
Transforming an existing warehouse took around 2 months with newly-appointed Department Manager Leon Whipp ensuring it’s among the very best of its kind in Europe.
We spoke to Leon to get an inside view of how the process went:
How was the new department designed to work?
“One side of the layout has been designed to do cables & touring systems and the other does LED assembly. We dedicated cutting & stripping areas as well as desks for custom metalwork, laser etching, printed shrinks & labelling plus added a new testing area as well.
We also created the option of standing or sitting depending on the order - with pneumatic desks and a Lazy Susan built with a turning plate that can lower to work on the top of something tall or raise up when you need to see something up close.”
How much better than before is it?
“With the machines and space, we’re able to tighten production and fill orders faster with the same professionalism as expected. The greater space enables us to put tools down on an order that has time to ship if an urgent order comes in. We can just move over to another area, whether it be for LED or Cable without having to clear the job we were on.”
Were there any challenges to overcome during the build?
“Building a bespoke warehouse was like cooking a roast on Sunday, you may know how to cook pot & peas - but it’s all about the timing. With almost thirty years involved in production and running warehouses, I knew what my goal was and what I wanted to build. But in all fairness, I couldn’t have done it without everyone involved at Penn in Hastings - whether it be welding, cutting or painting things I needed. Everyone was helping me whilst doing their own days’ work which I was truly grateful for.”
Any more expansion plans?
“There are still some cosmetic things I will be doing on less busy days plus something I would like to do eventually - but that’s a surprise for now!”
Well, with Leon and his excellent team now firmly in place, we’re very much looking forward to the great things we’re sure to see from them!
