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felt across the entire manufacturing industry over the last couple of years .
“ The increases in the costs of raw materials and componentry has been massive ,” Martin exclaims . “ I ’ ve been in the industry for over 40 years , and I ’ ve never seen anything like it . It has required us to take a serious look into our business model and structure , who we ’ re dealing with , and what kind of products we ’ re manufacturing . Unfortunately , it ’ s been a case of moving our own prices up , or halting production , as we can ’ t manufacture at a loss . Luckily our customers have been thoroughly understanding and supported us here .
“ We ’ ve also had to reassess our staffing situation , in line with the decrease we ’ ve seen in the number of units we ’ re producing – even though we ’ ve managed to maintain our levels of turnover . By readjusting our shift patterns we ’ ve successfully continued to save costs , off the back of the efficiency gains we ’ ve made over the last 18 months . Within these , of course , there has been a reduction in energy use , which is a win-win , as we ’ re now essentially running on a slightly extended day shift .
Creightons is a member of the CTPA trade association
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