Lincs manufacturers are brushing off talk of an economic downturn and investing in their processes.
Despite rising costs and reports of more firms going to the wall, many Lincolnshire bosses are showing greater confidence. Lincoln window, door and conservatory manufacturer Starglaze has splashed out £700,000 on a fully-automated glass-processing line at its Stamp End factory.
The new technology is designed to help the employer of 17 people to make more energy-efficient windows, aimed at cutting houseowners' bills and reducing carbon emissions.
This major investment is seen as a bold move as the housing markets troubled rumble on.
Starglaze managing director Mike Parczuk said: "Some manufacturers are sitting back and accepting what is currently happening in the global economy and the windows market.
"But those companies which are embracing the new technologies are finding that they can increase business by offering something that the local competition cannot do at affordable prices."
The new line has transformed the way Starglaze makes windows. The factory is now producing more than 3,000 energy efficient units and 1,500 energy efficient windows a week.
Skegness firm CFN Packaging is spending £250,000 on improving its premises.
The company, which has pioneered a new form of degradable polythene (Biothene), is consolidating its activities on two sites and plans to increase the size of one of its factories by 50 per cent.
The building work follows a £1m investment in three new machines to ensure the company remains at the cutting edge of carrier bag and packaging technology.
Packaging director Jayson Clark said: "The new facilities will allow us to achieve British Retail Consortium Food-approved status, which will help us to attract more business and open up new markets."
And the winner of the "most wired" business in the Lincolnshire Echo Business Awards, Concrete Products (1980) Ltd has just installed new plant machinery.
The owner of the Living Stone brand of paving and hard landscaping products has spent £100,000 at its Saxilby site.
A new twin two-column screen feed system and robot ball placer, used in the making of concrete slabs and decorative products, have been installed - to increase efficiencies and boost volumes in response to a bulging order book.
Institute of Directors' Lincolnshire branch spokesman Paul Croft said: "Although the general mood among manufacturing business is cautious, there are companies bucking the trend, that are able to see through the present uncertainties and to a brighter future.
"Those manufacturers which have the vision, confidence and means to invest in the technological needs of tomorrow, such as Starglaze where energy conservation and carbon reduction will increasingly play a more important role, will undoubtedly reap the rewards ahead."
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Source: Lincolnshire Echo
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