A newly formed manufacturing group is targeting international expansion and new jobs after acquiring two distressed plastics companies out of administration.
Clarity Plastics, which is led by experienced entrepreneur Kevin Robinson, is looking to transform specialist injection moulders Barkley Plastics and LVS through a combination of investment in the two facilities in Birmingham and Telford, process optimisation, and putting ‘people’ first.
More than £500,000 will be invested across both sites to optimise factory layouts, modernise facilities for team members, introduce automation, and bring tailored training and personal development opportunities.
The companies, which will be collectively rebranded to Clarity Plastics, employ 45 individuals and boast over 110 clients from across the automotive, medical and construction products markets.
“For the last year 60 years, the two businesses have been established and respected names in the plastics market and we were determined not to lose this technical excellence forever,” said Robinson.
“With similar machine sizes, capabilities and management systems, the two sites are naturally well-aligned. This creates an excellent opportunity for both to support and learn from each other, strengthening operational resilience whilst also expanding capacity and targeting new opportunities.”
Robinson said by combining the heritage of both companies with a forward-looking strategy, Clarity Plastics is positioning itself as a major player in the UK moulding industry, with the two sites together set to become much stronger than they ever were apart.
The recent acquisition and renaming of Barkley Plastics to Clarity Plastics preserves 60 years of manufacturing heritage in the West Midlands.
Over ten people were retained during the administration, with more brought back since the acquisition and plans now in place to actively recruit at the Highgate facility, where it supplies interior trim and specialist lighting products to Nissan, JLR, and several supercar manufacturers.
Simon Anderson, who has been appointed as head of Clarity Plastics, said: “The vision is for both sites to be thriving, profitable businesses with full order books and growing workforces by this time next year.
“Success will mean that customers have complete confidence in us as a stable, forward-looking supplier. Both deals were ‘people first’ acquisitions, and we have spent a lot of time talking to the team and reassuring them that we will deliver secure employment and a host of new benefits, including employee of the month schemes and access to the ‘Perks at Work’ platform.”
Matt Harwood, whose family had been involved in Barkley Plastics for more than six decades, has been retained and will take on the role of director of business growth, focusing on developing new markets and opportunities. He will be joined by highly experienced manufacturing specialist Steve Smith, who has been appointed as the new director of operations.
Harwood added: “Safeguarding jobs was our immediate priority, and now our focus is on rebuilding capacity and creating new employment opportunities as growth returns.
“We see significant opportunity in export markets, particularly in Europe, where British injection moulding is highly regarded, and increasing international activity will be an important marker of our progress.”