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Confounding the cynics
Barton Cold Form Limited
Droitwich, England
It is not uncommon to encounter the perception that the UK no longer has a fastener manufacturing industry. On previous occasions this
magazine has demonstrated that is far from the truth. In this instance, though, the story is one of rather more than simply survival and
adaptation to today’s market.
Apparently it all started in a pub. Barton completed a management buy-out from the Johnson has severely reduced its supply chain
Cold Form’s founder, Cyril Field, used a room in family. from 300 companies to single figures.
the Barton Arms to hold initial meetings during Speak with managing director Paul Overseas business comes from China, India
the formation of his company in 1932. The Denning, and he is clear that Barton Cold Form and Europe but, again, this business has
Barton Rivet Company was duly named in is “a small company, which works within its focused its strategy to maximise return on the
recognition of the Landlord’s support and means and is not always able to do things as company’s resources. Barton Cold Form now
began production in an old chapel in quickly as its directors would like”. The employs a sales manager based in Katowice,
Constitution Hill, Birmingham. A prolific statement, though, belies a remarkable Poland – an increasingly frequent flight
inventor, Cyril Field had many patents to his growth record since the MBO, with 2008 sales destination for Paul Denning. “The cycles of UK
name including the Fixt-nut used extensively expectations at the £10 million mark. “We are recession hit confidence so we knew we had
in the automotive industry for over 50 years very proud of that achievement,” says Paul to look elsewhere. There are all kinds of trade
without a reported failure. Denning, “particularly since it is all organic, not initiatives to eastern Europe but we decided to
In 1959 the company was renamed Barton by acquisition. We have grown the concentrate on Poland, where we saw
Cold Form and moved to custom-built relationships with our existing customer base, excellent opportunities, with very strong first
premises on the outskirts of Droitwich, a diversified into new business sectors and investment levels as second and third-
Worcestershire town probably better known achieved growth through winning new tier companies establish and grow.” The next
for its history of salt production and spa customers.” consideration is at what point to establish a
waters. On the death of his father in 1973, Currently around 80% of the business distribution centre in Poland.
Michael Field became managing director. comes from the UK, with an almost exclusive It goes virtually without saying that quality
In 1999 Barton Cold Form annual sales were focus on the automotive sector, which includes has to be core to Barton Cold Form’s strategy
around £3.2 million. Michael Field retired and tier 1 status with GM and strong relationships given its customer base. After several years of
the established management team of Eric with Delphi, Lear Seating and Johnson Controls QS certification Barton Cold Form achieved
Forgan, Paul Denning and Mike Wakefield – the latter particularly satisfying given TS16949 accreditation early in 2007.
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