22/01/2025
Six Benefits of Having an Injection Moulder in the UK
When it comes to choosing a trustworthy manufacturer, choosing the right supplier is pivotal to your company’s success. While international suppliers may sometimes appear to offer cost savings, they often come with shortcomings that could impact your business and the quality of your end product. Correcting these shortcomings becomes an added expense.
Global and national events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit have exposed many challenges within international supply chains. These challenges have had a significant impact on the UK, leading to disruptions across many industries. During these events, companies suffered from extended lead times, increased costs, and unreliable quality and delivery times.
In response to this, there’s been a shift towards sourcing supplies locally, and we at Bowles and Walker fully support this approach. Manufacturing in the UK provides direct benefits to your business, and also positively impacts the national economy.
We’ve put together some of the key benefits to supporting manufacturers based in the UK so that you can make informed decisions about building a stronger and more reliable supply chain.
1. Enhanced quality control and precision
Having a local supply chain enables far more control over the quality and precision of your products.
When working with international suppliers, you’re unable to verify the production of prototypes and sample products in person, which can lead to a shortfall in standards. With a local manufacturer, you can visit their site regularly to observe the production process, the quality of the products, and the conditions in which they are produced.
This helps to build a trusting relationship between client and supplier and eliminates communication barriers you may encounter with international suppliers.
Visiting in person allows for consistent communication and collaboration regarding your needs and feedback, allowing you to identify and resolve many issues at an early stage. You’ll have constant reassurance and full transparency with the manufacturing process, allowing you to control quality at all times.
2. Reduced lead times and greater flexibility
A major advantage of localised supply chains is the fast and reliable lead times. Suppliers overseas may face delays caused by transportation, customs, and other issues that can make delivery significantly longer.
In urgent or emergency situations, a local supplier will also be able to react swiftly and effectively without delay. The same goes for making adaptations to the product - choosing a UK manufacturer will ensure a smooth process without any obstacles.
3. Cost savings
Although it’s common belief that it’s cheaper to manufacture overseas, this isn’t the case. Although the base price for production may seem reasonable, there are many extra premiums to consider.
Costs for transportation, such as shipping, customs fees, and exchange rate fluctuations, which all add up. Shipping delays may also have a major financial impact on your business. By choosing a local supplier, you can avoid this risk and additional cost entirely.
4. Sustainability and corporate responsibility
Sustainability has become increasingly important for businesses over the past few years and is being taken more seriously now than ever before.
As businesses all over the world look to reduce their carbon footprint, forming a local supply chain is a major consideration to be mindful of green practices.
The closer the product is to your front doorstep, the less distance it has to travel. This all contributes to less transportation, less packaging and less fuel consumption, which goes hand in hand with keeping our planet a little bit greener.
Local businesses are a sustainable choice and have the added benefit of costing less and arriving quickly, with less chance of delay.
5. Support for local economies and job creation
‘Make It British’ conducted a survey in 2022 to uncover whether more people are beginning to buy British. The survey revealed that 69% of consumers are now more likely to buy products made in the UK compared to before Brexit and the pandemic.
Consumers have also shown willingness to pay up to 20% more for UK-made goods. The more we support our fellow UK businesses, the more chances for their expansion and job opportunities can open up within our community. This works hand in hand to reduce the UK’s dependency on global supply chains.
6. Mitigating the impact of global events
Using an overseas supplier also leaves you open to the risk of global disruptions and events. Any changes in the economic, political or environmental environment of your manufacturer could have a direct hit on your business.
It’s best to mitigate this risk completely by utilising a local supply chain and reducing dependence on global partners, allowing for greater reliability and flexibility. This resilience enables businesses to react more effectively to market demands and provides security that comes from knowing that there will be no hold-ups from international suppliers.
Choose a trusted local supplier
Ready to optimise your supply chain? Here at Bowles & Walker, our services are managed and controlled in Norfolk, UK. We are proud to support our local and national economy in whatever way we can and are always looking to reduce our carbon footprint.
For more information about our services, please call us on 01953 885294 or email info@bowles-walker.com. We would be happy to work with you on your journey to improve your manufacturing costs, reliability and quality by supporting UK manufacturers.
