PlastikCity on Tour – MasterFlow UK
Our next stop was a short drive to Lutterworth in Leicestershire to meet with Paul Williamson of MasterFlow UK. With over 80 years in the plastics sector, MasterFlow is a leader in Hot Runner technology headquartered in Sweden. Now steadily expanding in the UK, which it intends to make its second home market, MasterFlow is already well established in Europe and Asia.
MasterFlow is a family-run business based in Southern Sweden, part of the EWEBE Group, which retains ownership of all sales, product development and production, entirely in-house. Founded in 1939, the group has been in the Hot Runner business since 1981, launched the MasterFlow brand in 2002 and has been operating in the UK since 2008.
Located in the market town of Lutterworth in South Leicestershire, MasterFlow UK is conveniently located to serve the entire country from its central location, with easy access to the M1, M6 and A5. For a company that has built a reputation for fast turnarounds and exceptional levels of customer service, this is a very handy advantage!
MasterFlow recently moved into its Lutterworth office, which is a modern office space on a small business complex just outside of the town centre. The offices are spacious, but most importantly, have the capacity for MasterFlow’s full catalogue of spare parts, plans and product paperwork. During the visit, Paul was proud to mention that all spare parts are held in stock in the UK, meaning he can react instantly to an emergency breakdown or other issue that could stop production for his customers, without relying on international shipping and the associated costs and delays that can come with it.
It was customer service and this rapid response which became a recurring theme throughout our visit and is what the MasterFlow team believe is the difference maker for their services.
We sat down with MasterFlow UK’s General Manager Paul Williamson (pictured, right) and Area Sales Manager Dan Ford (middle), to discuss the company’s progress, and its big plans for 2023 and beyond.
To get started, we asked Paul to summarise his key products, and asked, what’s your target market?
Paul: “We supply hot runner systems to all sectors, including packaging, aerospace, automotive, defence, medical, over-moulding and more. We have decades of experience in this area and offer the full range of products to control the temperature and therefore optimise the flow of plastic material from the nozzle to the cavity, for every application.
“When you control the heat, you control the quality and the cycle time.
“Our range includes everything from full valve gate systems to single bushings, leakproof screw-in manifold systems, zone controllers and valve gate sequence controllers – you name it.
“We work closely with plastic moulding companies, toolmakers and product designers to optimise mould designs and functionality, reducing tooling costs and creating optimal injection moulding processes by ensuring the smooth, efficient and controllable flow of polymer during the moulding cycle, which gives our customers a competitive advantage.
“We also offer a mould flow simulation service to give customers that extra peace of mind when looking at injecting a part. Filling, packing, warpage etc is simulated so a customer can have an additional indication of how the injection of the part will perform. We also give any advice at this stage from our extensive in-house technical team, who, between them, have many years of processing experience.
“All our products are manufactured in-house by MasterFlow in Sweden, using the finest quality steel to ensure reliability and longevity.
“With our rationalised production facility in Sweden, we can produce the highest quality systems but at a price that fits the UK market.”
What sets MasterFlow UK apart from its competitors?
Paul: “As well as the quality of our products, it’s our customer service and support that keeps our customers coming back time after time. We understand that our customers’ priority is keeping production moving, so we focus on a rapid response for repairs and maintenance and have a quick turnaround for spare parts.
“In our UK office, we hold stock of all parts, spares, and system drawings, so we can respond to a breakdown immediately. We can guarantee next-day delivery on parts, and in some cases, we’ve ensured same-day delivery and installation to keep our customers moving.
“Compared to competitors who need to ship parts from Europe or Asia, this is what sets our service apart. Our customers know we can be relied on in the good times and bad!
“We guarantee the best levels of customer service, from tool design to ongoing injection moulding support, and we’re ready to respond quickly to any customer from our central location in Leicestershire.”
What are MasterFlow UK’s plans for the next 12 months?
Paul: “We’re having a big push on marketing in 2023 and will be looking to grow the company by hiring new staff members. In the early part of 2023 and throughout the year, we’ll be recruiting for more salespeople, with positions available for Area Sales Managers, and possibly some office-based roles too.
“We’ll also be exhibiting at trade shows, including Sustainable Plastics Live, Interplas, and Med-Tech, to meet new and existing customers, and demonstrate our expertise in hot runner systems.”
Does your company have an official or unofficial mantra or philosophy?
Paul: “Att lita på” – To rely on.
“This has been our company motto for many years. It underlines our identity and is the single most important aim of the company. It means that we work closely with our customers, build long-term relationships, and both our products and our skilled team can always be trusted, even when times get tough.”
We’d like to thank Paul and Dan for their hospitality (and a great biscuit selection), and we look forward to working together and supporting MasterFlow UK throughout 2023.
If you’re a plastics processor looking for high-quality hot runner technology with a quick turnaround, get in touch with Paul and the MasterFlow UK team directly, using the contact details below.
MasterFlow UK
01455 558 764
Website
Email
