Skar Precision celebrates 50 years leading the industry

A plastic moulding specialist is celebrating a golden anniversary after achieving 50 years in business.

The management team at Skar Precision Moulding have said they are “incredibly proud” to have reached the milestone. The company, based on a 40,000 sq ft site in Lady Lane Industrial Estate, Hadleigh, specialise in the manufacture of injection moulded plastic parts and components for a range of products – from medical equipment to toy aeroplane propellers and brochure holders.

Karen Gant, Managing Director, said one of the reasons behind Skar’s success is the longevity of its workforce – including the four members of the management team which have a total of more than 80 years service. Karen, who originally joined Skar 23 years ago working one-day-a-week in admin, said:

“We are incredibly proud to reach 50 years in business. Our entire management team, which consists of four people, have played a part in the growth of Skar. We have all been here for more than 20 years, so we have all grown up in the business. And we couldn’t have done it without our loyal and committed staff and customers.”

Skar, which takes its name from the first letters of founders Sidney Kibble and Arthur Reeve, now employs 80 people operating more than 30 machines, ranging from 25 to 450 tonnes. And it is already planning its next 50 years with state-of-the-art machines and a brand-new metrology lab. Karen said:

“We have always strived to provide high quality products at competitive prices and an excellent service. By doing this, we have been rewarded by having lots of repeat business. But we are also growing – we secured two new big contracts at the end of last year and we are always keen to invest back into the business.”

Paul Denny, operations director, joined Skar straight from Hadleigh High School in 1992 – though his brother, Darren, is one of the longest serving member of staff with 29 years of service. Darren explained:

“When I joined Skar, my intention was to only work here for six months. But I have always enjoyed the work and there has always been a chance to progress. I think I have done every job here and it has been a great company to work for.”

Asked what they put their longevity down to, Patrick Hill, quality director, said Skar had made its name by listening to their customers and never standing still. Patrick added:

“When I joined 22 years ago, it was a typical mould shop with a range of products. But we wanted to get more into precision moulding and become more specialist. Our turnover of staff has also been quite low. Most of our staff have been with us for more than 10 years and we look at ourselves as a big family. Three of the management team operate right on the shop floor and the four of us have always been an approachable team.”

Based in Hadleigh since the business started in 1969, Karen admitted there had never been any talk of Skar leaving Suffolk. She said:

“We have remained in Hadleigh, and Suffolk in general, because it has always been a great location for us. We are close to the port of Felixstowe and can service our customers via the major A14 and A12 routes. We are proud of our Suffolk heritage and the impact we have made in our local economy by employing so many people from the Hadleigh area during our 50 years. As with any business, we have endured tough times in our 50 years but our ethos has been to tackle everything head-on and move forward. We are all proud of the fact that we are leading a successful local company that gives local people a livelihood.”