Hurst up by half in shrinking panel market
24th April 2018

Hurst Plastics is reaping the benefits of the Phoenix panels legacy as well as recent £650,000 investments in machinery and people, with year-end figures showing production up 50% and a 20% increase in customer base.

The Hull-based manufacturer, which was directly recommended as successor by Phoenix Doors when it ceased panel production in October Read Story, says it has gained 300 active new customers since that time and adds that the latest figures have ‘sealed its position as the UK’s largest door panel manufacturer’.

Hurst has also reported a healthy rise in demand from within the commercial sector with the business supplying its composite doors and third party accredited composite fire doors to a growing number of local authorities and social housing contractors.

The company says this strong period of growth follows a £650,000 investment in new machinery, people and vehicles to increase its capabilities and provide customers with of ‘quality, service and value’.

Hurst also signalled a new round of investment in the first quarter of its new financial year, which will see a new warehouse management system, a next generation online ordering and account management system and a doubling of its CNC machining capacity with two new, CNC machines to keep pace with demand.

Sales director Mark Atkinson, pictured, said the figures prove there is still demand for door panels in a declining market. He explained: “As the product enters into the declining stages of its life cycle, more businesses exit the market and this perpetuates growth for those that remain.”

He continued: “With nearly £2 million of new business on board in the last year alone and the investment and capability to help our customers achieve growth, our new financial year is already gearing up to be very exciting indeed. But whilst we are focused on sustained growth, we are dedicated to continuous service improvement too. This is fundamental in helping us to maintain the excellent product consistency and service levels we’ve become known for.”

www.hurst-plastics.co.uk