Universal expands factory

- Adds 4,000 sq ft with additional space

- Half for showroom/demonstration area
 
Slitting and coating equipment manufacturer Universal Converting Equipment has purchased an additional 4,000 sq ft (372 sq m) of manufacturing space adjoining is existing Ipswich-based facility.
 
Universal’s product portfolio includes slitter rewinders, hot melt coaters, hot melt laminators, slitting machines and ancillary systems.
 
Universal managing director Dave Ward, who also serves as the company's technical director, said: ‘The additional space will be used to complement our existing production areas and also to house a 2,000 sq ft (186 sq m) show/demo room that customers will be able to visit for trials.’

Investing for the future

Fellow managing director Alan Jones said: ‘Our order levels have increased recently, meaning we’ve become pushed for space. This is an opportune moment to expand our manufacturing capabilities.’
 
With regard to the space to be allotted to a new showroom/demonstration area, Jones said Universal has previously offered this on an ad hoc basis but wanted to offer it as a permanent feature to its customers so they can see equipment firsthand and make ‘informed purchasing decisions’.
 
‘It’s quite an investment but we see it as the best way of investing in the future,’ Jones said.
 
‘It’s not an easy world out there but if you make it easier for your customers to see that your equipment is the best, that’s when you’ll get orders.’
 
Read more on Universal Converting Equipment here
Read more on finishing and converting equipment here
Read more on ancillary equipment here