Mid Wales company, Makefast Group, designs and builds equipment for the marine and safety industries, including systems for super yachts and luxury boats like retractable sunroofs, awning units and bathing platforms. Its products can be found in harbours all over the globe.
Established in 1974, the company was originally focused on producing safety hardware for the marine industry, supplying some of the largest life jacket manufacturers in the UK including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Soon after, it began expanding its product range to produce higher value items and explored overseas markets as a means to grow the business.
Today, Makefast Group exports to more than 30 countries, including Italy, France, Brazil, Taiwan and the USA, with international sales accounting for over two thirds of the its trade.
Last year, in response to increasing demand for its products in the USA, the company opened its first base on American soil in Maryland. Since opening the office, Makefast has strengthened its presence in the region, gaining a number of new contracts worth $5 million in the last year alone.
The company plans to replicate this success in other regions by opening further international offices, including a base in Europe, which would make it easier for it to build relationships with its customers in their own territories.
Alongside focusing on its international expansion, Makefast is also investing in its headquarters in Wales. Recently, the company received financial support and assistance to move into a new state-of-the-art facility in Powys as well as to invest in new equipment and projects.
Chris Brown, CEO of Makefast Group, said: “Being based in Wales offers us a unique advantage to scale our business at pace and develop a strong portfolio of clients across the world. We originally moved here from the south coast of England after discovering the extensive support available in Wales to grow our company.
“Since moving to Wales, we have attended major international trade shows around the world thanks to the export support made available to businesses here. These have helped us identify new routes to market and enable us to see how best to adapt products for different regions.
The mid-Wales company credits its Welsh location as being key to accessing a talented workforce, thanks to a strong engineering and manufacturing heritage in the local area dating back to the industrial revolution.
“Our location is a key factor in attracting talent for our business. Not only is there a history of manufacturing industry in the area, but we are in a beautiful part of the world which is attractive to a lot of people,” Chris added, “while still being well connected to large cities like Birmingham and Manchester.
“We are dedicated to producing skilled individuals though our apprenticeship programme too, finding talented individuals at the earliest opportunity to help develop their skills and ultimately drive more growth for the company.”
For more information on Makefast Group, visit: https://makefast.com/
