JSC Rotational takes production to the next level

Moulding company JSC Rotational sets itself apart from competitors after investing in a robotic arm to automate its manufacturing process. The investment was part-funded through Worcestershire County Council’s Elevate Digital Manufacturing Programme.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, said: “It is great to see how the Elevate Manufacturing Programme has made a positive impact on JSC Rotational. Our continued investment in Worcestershire’s infrastructure is essential in unlocking a business's potential and attracting further investment throughout the county.”

Since installing the new equipment in August 2022, JSC Rotational has already seen an impact on the business. The extra production capacity has allowed them to take on new contracts, and the technical ability of the machinery ensures that the products they are producing are consistently high quality. They are also able to innovate at a faster pace and have already launched a new product.

There have been other benefits too. The work is now less labour-intensive, so staff morale has improved, health and safety management practices have been improved; the company has experienced waste reduction and an improvement in energy efficiency.

Councillor Mark Ward, Wychavon District Councillor and Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism said: “This is really good news. It’s great to see a local firm able to take advantage of this funding and business support to be able to expand production and increase sales.”

Not only did the programme, part funded by European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Worcestershire County Council, help part fund the investment, but it also provided fully funded specialist consultancy support.

JSC Rotational, based in Inkberrow, had identified several projects which would help modernise the company, help launch new products, and increase sales. The consultants on the scheme were able to talk the directors through their options, helping them in their decision-making and guiding them through the grant application process.

Councillor David Wilkinson, Wychavon District Councillor for Inkberrow Said: “This is an excellent example of how financial and technical support from the Elevate Digital Manufacturing Programme can help small and medium sized businesses to invest in facilities for growth, enabling them to expand capacity, improve efficiency and win more business."

Karen Drinkwater, Director at JSC Rotational, is full of praise for the Elevate Programme and said: “We found that it was a refreshing, structured approach to business support. We kept an open mind throughout and found that we prioritised our projects after joint consideration with the consultants - rather than just trying to justify our expenditure and make it fit the funding criteria.”

Since the project’s inception in 2020, 155 small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Worcestershire have received high-quality specialist business support. Over £550,000 of grant funding has also been awarded to help businesses develop sustainable growth plans. The programme is also on target to help support the creation of 90 jobs within the county.

To learn more about the Elevate Programme and to see how it has supported other businesses throughout the county, please visit the Worcestershire Growth Hub website. 

The Elevate Worcestershire Programme is funded by Worcestershire County Council, the District Councils and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).