Page 18 - BOSS Today Issue 4

Member story

A VERY BRITISH
manufacturer

Postsafe extols the virtues of BOSS Platinum membership – and puts
forward an intriguing theory about the future of UK manufacturing

t’s rare these days to meet UK. The way forward, in my view, won’t turn around overnight, but needed the benefit of expert
a British manufacturer that is to do as we have done – and I honestly believe that there is a legal assistance to make sure
Iactually makes its products have a highly automated factory. future for manufacturing here.” we could fight our corner in
in this country. It’s even more The Far East has won so much any differences of opinion.
unusual to find one who has business because they have Legal assistance You need to be on the ball to
positive things to say about tons of pairs of hands, at a much Postsafe had been a member of compete effectively. Also, the
the future of manufacturing lower price than the West can BOSS for ten years and recently trading situation generally
here. But Derek Trethewy, MD of offer. But with factories like ours upgraded to platinum. We asked is very difficult. Customers,
Postsafe, is both of those things. that have very few personnel, what persuaded them to make suppliers and other companies
Given the doom-laden this ceases to be a factor. the switch. will sometimes try to enforce
picture the media is so fond “Furthermore, many of “The main reason was agreements that aren’t even
of painting about British our customers now want the legal assistance,” said factual. All this wrangling was
manufacturing, this more just-in-time deliveries, which Trethewy. “As a relatively taking up too much of our
optimistic view seemed increasingly means the next day small operator dealing with time which is better spent
surprising. But Trethewy after ordering. Clearly, China and many US companies, we have developing the business; and
explained: “I really believe that other countries on the other found that their approach to nor did we have the specialist
there are signs of the pendulum side of the world can’t offer business is fairly direct and legal knowledge needed.
swinging back in favour of the that. It will be challenging and it uncompromising, and we “Being a BOSS Platinum

18 BOSS TODAY | June 2010