Plastic Injection Moulder and Toolmaker, Pentagon Plastics Ltd are ringing in their 50th Year in business. Business owner and Son of original Founder(Jim Edwards), Paul Edwards has decided to mark this phenomenal business milestone by closing early on 22 July and treating employees both past and present to an afternoon of all expenses paid hospitality.
Initially starting out as Small Batch Plastics in 1972delivering low volume tooling and moulding to the many industries, Pentagon has been on an incredible journey of growth and 50 years on is now recognised as one of the most reputable Plastic Injection moulders in the Southeast. The company is widely recognised for its extensive technical moulding capabilities.
Paul originally joined the company in 1994 and has been integral in implementing many business initiatives and played a pivotal role in the business growth over the years. Paul took over as Managing Director in 2011.
Jim had spent many years building up a solid customer base for the business and Pentagon is delighted to still be supplying many of them today. Shortly after Paul’s Directorship was implemented Jim decided to hang up his overalls and step away from the business to bask in the pleasantries of his retirement.
Some of the most significant changes over the years have been the growth in moulding capacity and scope of mould tool manufacture, implementation of full ERP system, major premise refurbishment and the take over of Phoenix Engineering which has now been fully incorporated to form Pentagon Tooling.
As a technical moulder Pentagon facilitates full UK based tooling and production services into a range of industry sectors including, medical, aviation, marine, construction, security, and electrical. In the early days of the business Pentagon (formally Small Batch Plastics) diversified its activities to survive and grow even establishing a range of condoms with various flavours!
These days the companies technical moulding capabilities are second to none and technicians are experienced in the processing of all high engineering grades of thermoplastics. Pentagon’s moulding technicians are firmly focused on process optimisation and the principals of LEAN manufacturing run through all aspects of the business. This enables Pentagon’s customers to benefit from true value for money and expert plastic injection moulding services.
Although today the company celebrates success it has been far from an easy ride, the company has held firm throughout recessions, Off-shoring of manufacture, Re-shoring of manufacture, COVID-19 and BREXIT. Fifty years in business is a sensational achievement and the company continues to benefit from steady growth and reinvestment into the business despite the adversities that they have faced over the years and those that we continue to experience now.
To mark this momentous occasion, the workforce will come together for an afternoon of celebration, some of the staff have been with the business for over 30 years!
Paul has said ‘it is an absolute honour to celebrate this business birthday with people who care for the business as much as I do. Many of us have now worked together for many years and have faced the highs and lows together. Without my father’s entrepreneurial initiative and every member of the team past and present we would not be the buoyant UK manufacturing company that we are today.'
