Documentary ‘Innovating UK Manufacturing’ showcases the organisations who are performing at their best and well placed for the future
Tachodisc has taken part in a new television series, which analyses the significant role manufacturing has played over many years in the wealth creation of industries and its continued importance to the growth of the UK economy. The documentary was first broadcast on January 8, 2012 on BBC/ ITV freesat 402 and Sky digital channel 231. It will be repeated on Wednesday, February 8 at 2000hrs.
The programme ‘Innovating UK Manufacturing’ showcases the work of leading organisations who are performing at their best and are well placed to address these important manufacturing points.
Karen Crispe, Tachodisc’s managing director said: “We were delighted to be asked to be involved. As a specialist manufacturer of digital tachograph printer rolls and still the UK’s only manufacturer of EC approved analogue charts, which serve the legislative requirements of the road transport industry in recording drivers’ hours law, we provide an alternative and positive insight into British manufacturing.”
Like many UK manufacturers, Tachodisc has had to innovate, invest and evolve its business in recent years because of the economy and the way in which the world now buys and sells products. On top of this, the company has also had to handle the introduction of digital tachographs and several significant changes to legislation. This completely changed Tachodisc’s business from its core being as a manufacturer of paper based products to a ‘manufacturer’ of software and associated technical products and services.
Despite all the changes, Tachodisc’s key differentiator remains at the core of the business, said Karen. “Everything we do starts and ends with the legislation, whether it is paper based products, software, training or selecting the best digital products for our customers – this will never change. Our knowledge and understanding of the legislation surrounding tachographs means customers get the very best service, high quality products and the right solution for their individual business needs.”
The main focus for the TV programme is Tachodisc’s success in paper manufacturing and why, when so many other British manufacturers are disappearing, it remains buoyant and at the forefront of the industry. Karen said: “The last few years have not been easy for any product manufacturer. With the recession and the need for us to develop the digital and software side of the business, we could have easily decided to outsource our charts and rolls. But instead, we continued to invest in our machinery. This enabled us to generate new production efficiencies and control costs and margins, as well as create new business opportunities both here in the UK and abroad.” More importantly by keeping the facility in-house, we can control quality. This is imperative when you consider the charts and rolls we produce for the road transport industry are legal documents.
“This is crucial for our reputation. Plus, from a business point of view, there is still a huge market for analogue charts.”
Tune into BBC/ITV freesat 402 or Sky digital channel 231 on Wednesday February 8 at 2000hrs to see how Tachodisc, formed in 1979, successfully made the transition from analogue to digital. Produced by Collaborative Media and Executive TV, “Innovating in UK Manufacturing” will also be promoted across the UK in national and regional media (both on and off line) as well as through business/ trade and industry specific media including CBI and IOD publications.
Contact Tachodisc on 01925 283328
