Ashwoods Automotive Ltd
Mark Roberts, Managing Director, Ashwoods Automotive Ltd and Paul Gilbert, Advisor, MAS
The manufacturing challenge
Ashwoods was named the fastest growing European cleantech* company of 2010, expanding from 4 to16 staff in 18 months and experiencing a growth rate of almost 1,000 per cent. It needed to have a clear strategy to ensure effective growth within its capabilities. The senior management team had limited time for internal communication, and certain areas of the business were not communicating effectively together. Senior managers had ideas of how they wanted to shape the business but needed help to implement these plans, while still managing the current growth.
*Cleantech is classified as a knowledge-based product which improves operational performance while reducing costs and consumption.
- Employees: 16
- Turnover: Forecast £8m
- Sector: Manufacturer of motor vehicles
- Location: Exeter, Devon
MAS Action
MAS supplied a business mentor and helped implement and coordinate monthly meetings with the management team to review the strategic direction of the business. Meetings covered financial planning, design and development projects and operational issues. Monthly reports are now collated to ensure that all commitments are met from each area of the business. Following a referral to the iNets programme, the company now has an ongoing business mentor who provides a welcome sounding board to the senior management team. MAS also helped facilitate meetings with representatives from alternative market sectors to discuss other uses for the firm’s innovative technologies.
Results
With support from MAS, Ashwoods has created a second and third business ‘Ashwoods Energy’ and ‘Ashwoods Propulsions’ which will both specialise in supplying hybrid components as stand-alone products as opposed to the complete vehicle solutions currently provided. MAS and iNet also identified that the firm could diversify its technology into other growth markets including renewable energy sectors. The monthly meetings and ongoing mentoring will mean that Ashwoods is able to focus on the areas of business which allow for maximum growth, including R&D, and supplying commercial fleets for both the private and public sector markets. The firm is also looking to license its products internationally.
Key Achievements
- Developed a second arm of the business
- Monthly management meetings implemented
- Relationships established with other market sectors
- Ongoing mentoring with support from the Aerospace and Advanced Engineering iNet (Innovation Network)
MAS delivers expert hands-on practical support to facilitate successful implementation of sustainable improvements.
