Volume precision subcontractor to go global

Volume orientated precision subcontractor Rodmatic is at the first stage of planning to convert into a global business taking advantage of IT technology and business management.

Plans are now being laid to change volume orientated precision subcontractor Rodmatic into a global business following the decision of director Brian Steatham to increase his involvement in the Reading based operation following the January sale of his highly successful Pathtrace, software company to Planit Holdings.

Explained Brian Steatham: "As a modern subcontract business you need to put everything into place, look very closely where IT and business management can improve the effectiveness of the company, then put a strategy into operation to invest to achieve the objectives laid down.

We are now entering the first stage." Rodmatic has appointed Vernon Walker, previously group financial director and Bill Button, IT manager of Pathtrace into the Rodmatic operation to work alongside Robert Rickman who is managing director and responsible for day-by-day activities.

A new division Rodmatic HyTek has also been set up as a fast response, single-cycle specialist production operation focusing on higher value and more complex components.

Steatham sees his role as co-ordinating the strategy and bringing his extensive experience from developing Pathtrace into an international business by setting up operations in America, Japan, Singapore, China and Brazil.

Already the customer base of Rodmatic, that spans the hydraulic, automotive related, and aerospace sectors is showing interest in the company's potential global plans and of special appeal is the willingness of the business to invest and develop an IT led production based operation.

This high technology based subcontracting capability is being seen as able to provide security of supply and shorter lead times with a competitive pricing strategy by its customers.

As Steatham expanded his views on the business potential: "There are not that many subcontractors in the UK willing to pursue global business, invest to achieve their aims in supplying batch quantities from 20 or so, to continuous production and have a capacity for part sizes between 5mm to 400mm diameter." Rodmatic currently has sales of over GBP 5 million and employs 55 people.

It was set up in 1963 and focused on high volume, fluid power component production.

Added Steatham: "Manufacturing technology, automation and IT systems can provide us with the opportunity to go from strength to strength ensuring the company maintains price, quality and delivery which has always been the backbone of our success in the market.

Now as we add a smaller batch, higher value component production capability providing the ability to combine operations into a 'one-hit' strategy we believe we have the recipe for future success on a global scale.".

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