Chem Resist lands £1.3m contracts

The Dewsbury-based manufacturing company is designing and making storage and distribution systems for companies in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lancashire.

The contract wins come after Chem Resist completed a £250,000 installation for Saica Paper, one of the world’s most advanced paper and packaging groups, in Spain.

Simon Hewitt, managing director and owner, said his company has continued to grow during the recession.

He told the Yorkshire Post: “We work hard.

“We don’t get wrapped up in the economic environment of doom and gloom.

“People are still spending money, companies are still investing. The logic is that we work with them and offer them services that add value and put ourselves in pole position.

“Our approach has not changed, but we have seen growth again this year.”

The £4m company is reckoned to be the UK’s only manufacturer of spiral wound thermoplastic tanks and is a market leader in Europe.

It supplies customers including GlaxoSmithKline, Kodak, Corus, Agfa and Thames Water.

Chem Resist’s £250,000 contract with Spain gave Saica an environmentally friendly alternative to steel and glass storage tanks at its new mill.

Mr Hewitt said: “They decided our proposal with the combined benefits of comprehensive chemical resistance, structural integrity, minimum design life of 20 years and infinite recyclability was their preferred choice.”

Mr Hewitt has worked at Chem Resist for 20 years. He bought the company five years ago. Chem Resist operates an in-house training school for apprentices.

Mr Hewitt explained: “The challenge we have is that the skill set we require is not readily available. It’s not something you can go and buy off a shelf.

“We have to take a long-term approach to get manufacturing skills into the business.”

Looking ahead, Mr Hewitt said: “The Chem Resist order book is currently exceeding expectations and we are taking a very positive view of the coming year.”

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