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 the fortunes of injection moulding business Barkley Plastics and LVS through a combination of investment in its two facilities in Birmingham and Telford.
The pair of companies, which will be collectively rebranded to Clarity Plastics, employ 45 individuals and boast more than 110 clients from across the automotive, medical and construction sectors.
Mr Robinson said: "For the last 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.
"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 while also expanding capacity and targeting new opportunities.
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"By combining their heritage with a forward-looking strategy, Clarity Plastics is positioning itself as a major player in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ moulding industry and, in short, the two sites together will be 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 its Highgate facility where it supplies interior trim and specialist lighting products to Nissan, JLR and several supercar manufacturers.
More than £500,000 will be invested across the Birmingham and Telford sites to optimise factory layouts, modernise facilities, introduce automation and create tailored training and development opportunities.
Simon Anderson, who has been appointed as head of Clarity Plastics, added: "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."
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 manufacturing specialist Steve Smith who has been appointed as director of operations.
Mr Harwood said: "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.
"There are over 50 moulding machines running 24 hours per day, five days per week so there is plenty of capacity to take on new business."
