Investment provides the impetus to double turnover

Lakeland Carbons has just invested in new equipment which will allow it to treble its output as it looks to double its turnover.

A FAMILY-OWNED manufacturer of abrasives used in blast cleaning and anthracite used in water filtration is on course to double its turnover after investing in its future.

Lakeland Carbons based in Penrith, in Cumbria, has just taken delivery of a new bagging machine enabling it to treble its output to 60 tonnes a day.

The firm, which is run by father and son Malcolm and Sean Walsh, manufactures eight different kinds of abrasives which - among other applications - are used by property developers to renovate buildings and local authorities to clean graffiti from walls.

Lakeland Carbons manufactures these abrasives from either iron silicate or calcium silicate which it sources from across the UK and Europe. Operating from the former Flusco quarry site, it is also one of Britain’s oldest established manufacturers of anthracite used in water filtration.

This product, which it sources from quarries in Wales, is available in several different grades and is widely used across the UK by utility companies to produce drinking water. Anthracite is also used by utility companies to filter ground and waste water as well as local authorities operating swimming pools.

Production manager Sean Walsh said that the “significant” investment which it has made in the new bagging equipment will allow it to treble its output.

Mr Walsh said: “During the recession, we have continued to win new orders across Britain - literally from Elgin, in Scotland, down to Cornwall and everywhere in between. This new bagging machine will mean that we can treble our output to 60 tonnes of material every day to cater for the increased demand.

“Prior to taking delivery of the equipment in June, we were reliant on manpower to fill the bags but now the whole process is streamlined.

“We commissioned a Nottinghamshire-based company called Autopak to build the equipment and it has been specially made so that it can be extended in the future if we need to do so. I believe that this equipment combined with advance orders means that we are now in a position to double our current turnover from £1m to £2m over the next two years.

“Obviously, no one knows what’s round the corner in terms of the economic situation - but this is the target we have set ourselves to achieve.”

Lakeland Carbons expects to increase its staff numbers from eight to 11 over the next year to cater with increased demand. The firm has also improved its nationwide logistics network by opting to work more closely with haulage companies based in the Northwest.

Mr Walsh also believes that Lakeland Carbons’ order books have remained strong because of the specialist nature of their products and the ‘tailored’ service it provides. He adds: “We are not a massive firm at the moment - but we have every intention of achieving rapid further growth.

“Indeed, I believe that one of the reasons why we repeatedly get new orders is because our clients know that we provide a level of service and reliability which is far above many other firms in these sectors.

“And this is one of the reasons why we have grown during a recession. In the evenings, the phones are diverted to my mobile and it is not uncommon for me to be back at the site ensuring that new orders are completed overnight.

“We have had one of the busiest years ever in terms of abrasives sales. And sales of anthracite has also remained consistent with our forecasts although we’ve seen an increase over the past few months.”

Lakeland Carbons was founded in 1992 by Sean’s father Malcolm Walsh in conjunction with Norman Harrison. The company initially specialised in the manufacture of anthracite before also developing its abrasives division.

Sean Walsh adds: “It is a very exciting time for the company and it feels as though we are on the brink of moving to the next level.

“Everything has fallen into place over the past year and while we are not complacent about our success, we are looking to the future with confidence.”