Silver Fox targets growth after coordinated investment drive
A Hertfordshire manufacturer that supplies its labelling solutions to companies such as ABB, London Underground, Mitsubishi, Network Rail and Vodafone is looking to expand after tapping into expert support.
Silver Fox Ltd has continued to invest in new plant and machinery throughout Covid-19 and, when combined with specialist external assistance, this has helped it grow considerably over the last twelve months.
The family-run business has benefitted from accessing industry knowledge through the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), an initiative designed for SMEs, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice.
“We design, develop and manufacture highly durable labelling solutions, particularly for the electrical instrumentation, data, and telecoms sectors. We’re also seeing growing success in the process sector,” explained Nick Michaelson, Director at Silver Fox Ltd.
“One of our innovations is an industry-leading product called the Fox-in-a-Box®, which means clients can print our entire range of thermal labels all from one software, one printer and one ribbon.”
He continued: “This includes the highly durable Fox-Flo® tie-on cable label, which is both UV-stable and Low-Smoke Zero-Halogen. This makes it ideal for use trackside on Network Rail, in tunnels with the London Underground and across oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, data centres, public buildings and the rapidly expanding renewables sectors.”
Silver Fox, which was the first manufacturer in Hertfordshire to become carbon-negative in 2020, is a strong advocate of MGP and the specialist support it has provided.
It is urging other SMEs to tap into the remaining grants available for business improvement projects and is calling on management teams to throw their support behind the initiative as the new funding landscape is being formed.
“Industry really needs to make the most of the Manufacturing Growth Programme whilst it is here and, importantly, ensure that it is still around when the new support packages are announced,” added Nick.
“It is a helpful service, and it makes the process so easy. The impact is immediate, and we’ve also looked at using the specialist support to complement our own long-term solutions for our business.”
Amanda Freeland, MGP’s Manufacturing Growth Manager for Hertfordshire, concluded: “The company is a great example of a specialist firm that has really served its marketplace, formed strong connections with very large clients by making products that are world-beating.
“In addition, it is a carbon-negative company that builds sustainability into everything it does, from investment in energy savings and process improvements, to reductions in plastic waste and choosing biodegradable materials in its packaging for example.”
As the business grows during these challenging times, it is likely that Silver Fox will also be looking to expand its workforce in the months to come.
