Dearing Plastics Expands Capacity and Capability Ahead of 40th Anniversary

Dearing Plastics is a leading plastics injection moulding specialist in Brough. Founded over 40 years ago, the business has grown from a small operation into a large-scale manufacturer operating from a 46,000 sq ft facility. The company is the UK’s largest manufacturer of first aid cases, serving major clients including Swift Caravans and Bosch. They offer a combination of specialist expertise and large-scale production, and recently expanded through the acquisition of Denroyd Plastics. They manufacture everything from robust industrial components to precision-engineered parts across multiple sectors.

“Made Smarter is an important partnership. It’s a great opportunity to connect with people and explore new ideas. If our advisor doesn’t know something, they’ll always find someone who does. We are increasing what we do and, as long as the demand is there, we will keep growing.” says Rick Bishop, Director, Dearing Plastics.

Dearing Plastics’ Journey with Made Smarter

The Challenge

As the business approached its 40th anniversary in 2026, Dearing Plastics recognised the need to diversify revenue streams and reduce reliance on core first aid case production.Key challenges included:

• Expanding into new markets and applications
• Increasing production capacity to meet growing demand
• Enhancing automation and efficiency
• Meeting increasing customer requirements around sustainability
• Building capability to take on more third-party manufacturing work

The Solution

Dearing Plastics accessed support through Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber. via the HEY Growth Hub to accelerate its growth and innovation plans.

With support from Made Smarter, Dearing Plastics invested in advanced equipment and process improvements to enable growth and diversification.

This included:

• Installation of a 700-tonne injection moulding machine, unlocking higher capacity production
• Introduction of automation systems for product wrapping and kit assembly
• Investment in ancillary equipment to meet precise customer specifications
• Enhanced recycling capabilities, including granulator and vacuum systems
• Continued development of R&D-driven innovation for new products and markets

The investment also supported the company’s expansion into third-party moulding services and future plans to introduce plastic blow moulding into its offering.

The Benefits

The project has already delivered measurable business benefits:

• New contract opportunity worth up to £300,000
• Job creation, including recruitment to operate new machinery
• Workforce growth from 40 to over 80 employees (including agency staff)
• Increased production flexibility through 25 injection moulding machines (50–830 tonnes)
• Strengthened ability to support multiple sectors, including automotive, medical, and consumer goods

The investment has positioned the company to scale its operations while maintaining high standards of quality and reliability.

Rick Bishop, Director, said: “The 40th anniversary is a remarkable milestone that showcases decades of expertise, cutting-edge solutions, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer success. We’re continuously expanding our product offering, and our R&D team is working on new solutions for emerging markets and applications.

The Future

With a strengthened leadership team and continued investment in technology and R&D, Dearing Plastics is well-positioned to:

• Expand into new markets and applications
• Grow its third-party manufacturing services
• Introduce new product lines, including blow-moulded products
• Continue scaling operations sustainably

The company remains focused on building on four decades of success through innovation, quality, and customer-focused manufacturing.

Read more on Dearing Plastics here.

Dearing Plastics
+44 (0)1482 339509
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