Pictured: David Bird, managing director of DB-Automation at
his premises
A Leicestershire man has bounced back from unemployment to
record a successful first year as the boss of his own plastics
company.
Four days after administrators were called into G-Mat Moulding
Automation in Shilton, Coventry, in July 2009, David Bird went on a
pre-arranged holiday to consider his options and plan for the
future. While in Spain, he started putting plans in place to set up
his own business.
And his decision has paid dividends since DB-Automation in
Broughton Astley has completed its first year of trading with a
£1.1 million turnover.
With support from Yorkshire Bank's Financial Solutions Centre
(FSC) in Coventry, the specialist company in the plastic injection
moulding industry is proving a hit in all corners of the globe.
The company, based in Swannington Road, designs and supplies
machines and spares as well as providing an installation service in
America, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the UK.
Using Yorkshire Bank's foreign exchange services, DB-Automation
secures an agreed exchange rate to protect itself from fluctuating
prices which has proved key in ensuring the business has prospered
in its first 12 months.
David Bird, managing director of DB-Automation, said: "I went on
holiday to think what I could do next. I decided to call some of
GMAT'S old clients and the reaction was positive which gave me the
confidence to set up my own company.
"The company is self-funding as we sold my wife's car and put
our savings into the company to fund the new business. Money was
tight and life style changes had to be made but our first full year
of trading has proved that all our efforts have paid off.
"We use 3D CAD software to design and build equipment for the
plastic moulding industry for a wide range of products, such as
switches for cars, packaging for salad boxes, drain covers and
child resistant drugs packs in America so that you have to press a
button to release the tablets.
"We have seen success in many different markets, including
multi-media packaging, construction industry products, automotive
and medical products, just to mention a few.
"We have a lot of work in the pipeline and our reputation is
growing with many exciting prospects on the horizon. I am confident
that over the next 12 months we will gain more new business."
David works with Yorkshire Bank's treasury team when agreeing
deals with his clients abroad.
"When I receive a written order, I need to reduce the risk of
fluctuation in foreign exchange rates because we have to build and
test the machines which can take anywhere between three and six
months and you can imagine the fluctuation of the exchange rate in
that time," he said.
"We protect ourselves by agreeing a rate with Yorkshire Bank so
that we know exactly what we are getting."
Martin Boag, business partner at Yorkshire Bank's FSC at the
Ricoh Arena in Coventry, said DB-Automation was a niche company
excelling in its industry.
"To have achieved a turnover of £1.1 million in the first
year of trading for a new business is a great start," he said.
"David, his operations director Nick Parker and the rest of the
team are looking to progress the company and continue its growth to
take it to the next stage."