Sewtec Automation has chosen Schneider Electric’s PacDrive 3 Delta Robots to automatically orientate and pack the large volumes of produce into trays for Pets Choice. With its centralised system architecture, PacDrive 3 controls the broad range of production and packaging requirements, providing the necessary flexibility. The Schneider Electric solution is also claimed to be the most compact on the market, with the robots themselves having integrated server motors and drives, reducing overall size by roughly 70% and meaning the solution could fit within the existing Pets Choice architecture.

The Pets Choice system will also act as a foundation upon which more cloud-based monitoring, condition monitoring and machine analytics can sit. In turn, this insight will help future proof the solution and ensure Sewtec can improve their offering to Pets Choice, making more accurate design and production decisions.

Paul Johnson, sales director at Sewtec Automation said: “The main reason for choosing Schneider Electric is its technical capabilities, which are second to none. Not only has its technology helped us deliver the project cost effectively, but we have substantially improved our customers operational efficiency and improve it even more in the future. Perhaps the important reason for success is the level of service and support Schneider have provided. From proposal development and installation, all the way to the present day, they have been present and put in the groundwork to made sure the solutions are as good as possible.”

Mark Yeeles, VP for industrial automation at Schneider Electric, added: “We’re delighted that Sewtec Automation chose Schneider Electric for upgrading the Pet’s Choice production line. We understand that a leading machine builder like Sewtec must deliver at volume and at speed for its customers, whilst doing so sustainably. We’re hopeful that our partnership will continue to yield great success – and that we can continue to support Sewtec in its future endeavours.”

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The Dewsbury-based high technology company designs and manufactures factory automation systems for the food, pharmaceutical, personal care and tobacco industries. Its clients include Nestlé, Unilever Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble, with more than 85 per cent of its sales being exports.

Sewtec’s £25m order book is the largest the company has achieved since it was founded in 1982 and includes major automation projects to be delivered within the next one to two years, many of which are repeat business from existing clients.

Its strong performance means the company is on track to achieve its ambition of doubling turnover to £32m by 2022.

It also marks the first anniversary of Sewtec’s MBO, which was backed by Leeds-headquartered private equity firm Endless in August 2017. The company’s management team of technical director Gary Day, controls director Karl Conqueror and sales director Paul Johnson led the buyout, after which managing director Mark Cook joined the company.

Sewtec has also announced that three recently appointed management team members have been promoted to director. Ian Walch has been appointed as project director, Lizzie Hay becomes finance director and Mark Atkins becomes director of business services.

To support project delivery, the company has also significantly increased its headcount by recruiting 20 new highly skilled employees across engineering, manufacturing and sales roles. This brings its headcount to 80 people, with plans to bring an additional 40 jobs to the region within the next four years.

In June, Sewtec also opened a new mechanical and software engineering design office at Silkwood Park in Wakefield and an assembly and commissioning site in Normanton, complementing its existing 23,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Dewsbury.

Commenting on Sewtec’s strong performance, Endless director, Andrew Ross, said: “Sewtec has had an exceptional first year following the MBO and goes into its second year of new ownership with real momentum. The company has a strong management team, a compelling proposition and enormous potential to expand further in its chosen markets both in the UK and internationally.

“Endless is a transformational investor. Last year we were very excited about the opportunity to invest in an already very successful, longstanding Yorkshire business and to support the management team in transforming it into a more scalable operation. One year on, we are very pleased with what Mark and the team have achieved so far and remain excited about the future of Sewtec.”

Underpinning Sewtec’s transformational change is the company’s strategic business plan led by managing director, Mark Cook. Among several innovations introduced in the past year is a modular design approach which improves efficiencies during the design and manufacturing phases. Sewtec has also rebranded and launched a new company website, improved its IT and business systems, enhanced its human resource policies and procedures, increased engagement with local schools and universities and provided more support to local charities.

Commenting on the company’s performance, Mark Cook said: “Our strong order book demonstrates the outstanding reputation that Sewtec has built. There is ongoing demand for the Sewtec brand, services and products, and this has opened up many prospects for us in the sectors and markets we operate in.

“This is also a success for highly skilled British manufacturing. Our excellent export record shows the appeal of our bespoke automation systems on a global stage, driven by an innovative approach and world-class customer experience.

“With a skilled and dedicated team across all areas of the business, we’re in a robust position to continue our growth plan and reach our ambitious goal of becoming a 120-strong £32m turnover business.”

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The new office at Silkwood Park, just off Junction 40 of the M1, will play a major role in enabling Sewtec’s plans to double turnover to £32m and increase its headcount from 80 to more than 120 people within the next five years.

Sewtec designs and manufactures high-technology factory automation systems for global blue-chip clients in the food, pharmaceutical, personal care and tobacco industries. It counts Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Johnson & Johnson amongst its clients. More than 85 per cent of its sales are to export markets.

Recruitment for numerous positions at the office, including mechanical design and software engineers, has already begun. The new office complements Sewtec’s existing mechanical and software engineering design team based at the company’s 23,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Dewsbury.

Commenting on the new office, Sewtec managing director, Mark Cook, said: “The new office is strategically located to augment the excellent work of our existing design team, and to attract talent from across the region and beyond. It shows our commitment to accelerating Sewtec’s growth to achieve our plans of doubling our manufacturing capability whilst expanding further into global markets.”

Sewtec’s rapid expansion follows a successful management buyout (MBO) in August 2017, which was backed by Leeds headquartered private equity firm Endless.

Mark added: “Since the beginning of the year, we have created 16 new jobs across our engineering, manufacturing and sales functions. Attracting new people to our Wakefield design office is the next important next step in recruiting for least 40 new highly skilled jobs which will underpin Sewtec’s continued success.”

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