In that time, the business has continued to go from strength to strength while having undergone some exciting changes. Gary commented, “It has been a really successful year for us. We have secured some great new business and I have particularly relished the challenge of taking Wheatley Plastics in to an exciting new era. The team has been fantastic in their continued efforts and commitment to supporting the business, I am confident of a bright future.”

Marketing strategists Distinction Marketing Ltd, were appointed to carry out extensive market and customer insight research. As a result of the findings, an eye-catching new brand was launched closely followed by a new website showcasing recent client success stories and testimonials. The new Wheatley Plastics brochure is also now available and you can download your copy here. Wheatley Plastics Brochure

Wheatley Plastics is delighted to announce that it will be supporting the charity ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ in 2012.

The primary aim of ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ is to grant the wishes of children suffering from life threatening illnesses. The charity receives letters from parents of sick children from all over the country as well as a great number of referrals from hospitals and hospices. So far it has granted over 14,500 wishes for some very brave and courageous children and their families, providing them with precious memories.

Wheatley Plastics will be focusing its efforts on supporting children in its local community and aims to raise £2000 to enable a child from the Stockport area to go on a once in a lifetime trip with the charity to Rovaniemi in Finland.

Each December, the charity charters its own plane and fly’s up to 100 children and their parents, a huge army of paramedics, consultants, specialised nurses, celebrities and film crews to Rovaniemi.The children then have a truly magical day, riding in a sleigh pulled by Rudolph through the enchanted forest, to give their Christmas list to Santa, in person.  For all those privileged to share this day, it is a truly humbling experience.

Wheatley Plastics is proud to be raising awareness for such a great cause and will be hosting various events throughout 2012. To kick start the fundraising Managing Director, Gary Knight, will be lacing up his running shoes once again and taking part in the 2012 Manchester Marathon. Gary commented, “I ran the London Marathon in 2009 for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) and we have managed to raise over £23000 for them over the years. This time, I hope to get us well on our way to our £2000 target for ‘When You Wish Upon A Star.’ It’s a fantastic and extremely worthy cause – and of course I will be trying to beat my 4 hour time!”

If you would like to see more about our fundraising events please visit www.justgiving.com/wheatleyplastics

Stockport based plastic injection moulder, Wheatley Plastics, has helped to bring the 1960’s iconic children’s toy, PlayPlax, back in to production.
Invented by Patrick Rylands in 1966 and consisting of 48 interlocking, vibrantly coloured squares, this hugely popular toy sold more than a million copies until it ceased production in the early 1980’s. The PlayPlax relaunch is the latest project for Hampshire based Portobello Games, which develops and produces simple and inspiring games for children to enjoy.

“We originally manufactured PlayPlax all those years ago and we were delighted to be approached by Portobello Games to discuss bringing it back in to production here in Stockport once again,” said the company’s Managing Director, Gary Knight. “It was important that the new edition would exactly replicate the high quality and brilliant colours of the original. We carefully produced a brand new tool that would ensure that the new pieces would exactly replicate the original and we were also able to formulate the same bright colours, by using the original dye recipes.”

Wheatley Plastics’ close attention to detail and high quality production has enabled Portobello Games to successfully launch a new edition of PlayPlax that exactly mirrors the original and it looks set to become just as popular as it once was.

“We are really pleased to be working with Wheatley Plastics. In this modern culture of manufacturing everything at a low cost overseas, we are proud that we have managed to produce the PlayPlax toy entirely using British based manufacturers and suppliers,” said Portobello Games’ Managing Director, Lucy Baring.

www.playplax.co.uk

The most recent group of staff to undertake the training have completed their courses successfully and have now been presented with their certificates of achievement.

Sue Thistleton successfully completed an Apprenticeship in Team Leading and Gareth Drabble successfully completed an Apprenticeship in Industrial Applications.

Gary Knight, Managing Director of Wheatley Plastics said:

“It’s very important that our staff have the most relevant and up-to-date skills to provide a high standard of service for our customers.”

“By working in partnership with North Lancs Training Group, we can develop programmes specific to our needs and help continue the professional development of our staff.”

Steve Kelly, NLTG’s NVQ Co-ordinator, commented:

“We have worked in partnership with Wheatley Plastics for a number of years, delivering training to enhance the skills and update the qualifications of staff.”

“The staff have worked very hard to achieve these qualifications, which reflect the knowledge and skills they have gained as a result of their courses.”

Perhaps the most important aspect to look for is ‘total project management’. This in essence describes a plastic injection moulding company that will support you throughout the whole process. Offering guidance and advice in the beginning stages they will work with you on all aspects such as design, material selection, production and dispatch. At all stages, cost efficiency, quality of finished products, the flexibility of the process and secondary processes should be taken into consideration.

Technology is forever evolving and so you not only should consider a company with a substantial and evidenced background in the manufacturing arena, the company also needs to be flexible enough to change with new innovations in the industry. Be wary of companies who tend to just work within one industry alone. The company you work with needs technical skills and expertise across a range of industries as the process itself may call for a plethora of different skills, or your company may be expanding into other areas in the future. For instance your primary manufacturing area may be in the medical field but you may need to set up processes in the electronics sector such as holdings for security cameras.

A robust customer support system is essential at all times and is a reflection of a good business to business relationship. Make sure that the plastic injection moulding company has clear stated documents outlining policies on Quality, health and safety, risk assessments and the environment. Ask to see them before beginning negotiations.

On 31st March, Operations Director Gary Knight purchased the business from Managing Director of 20 years, Rod Harper.

Gary has been employed by Wheatley Plastics for 15 years and has been instrumental in helping the Company to become recognised as one of the region’s leading suppliers of plastic injection moulded products.

Gary commented, “As one of the Company’s longest serving employees, I have a deep understanding of the business, our industry and our customers. Together with Wheatley’s loyal team, I aim to build on the success and reputation we have developed over the years.”

Following extensive market and customer insight research carried out by marketing strategists Distinction Marketing Ltd, the takeover coincides with the launch of a new brand and website www.wheatleyplastics.co.uk This demonstrates the full extent of Wheatley’s capabilities and includes customer success stories and testimonials.