Ley Rubber moving to new facility

By David Shaw, ERJ staff

Liverpool, UK - Ley Rubber, a moulding and extrusions company, is moving to a new factory in Liverpool and buying more equipment.

The company, which specialises in quick turnaround rubber extrusions and mouldings will be operational in its new factory in Kirkby, Merseyside from the first week in January. The current facility - a former warehouse in Liverpool's docks area - is, according to non-executive director David Jones, “well past its sell-by date. “

Ley Rubber has bought new equipment, including four compression presses an open mill and an extruder as well as a new boiler and autoclave. The company will also re-furbish its existing extruders. Jones said they use Iddon extruders exclusively. The total investment for the equipment and move is £350 000 (euro 400 000).

The new factory, “will enable us to have a much better production flow, helping us to sustain and further our growth, improve the skills of our committed workforce, who in turn will have a much  better work environment,” said Jones.

He said the company also expects to invest a further £300 000 in a new development, scheduled for 2011. This will be a major factor in boosting our export sales.

Jones, who was founder of the former company, DJ Profiles, is Development Director of the company and remains actively involved. Managing Director, Mark Wealleans took on Jones when he acquired Ley Rubber from its former owners in around 2001. Ley Rubber has been manufacturing Rubber Products in Liverpool since it was founded in 1956.

The company currently employs 36. It specialises in rubber extrusions and mouldings. General industrial extrusions are made mostly from EPDM, while the mouldings are mainly from NR. Rubber bungs for the scientific and educational market form much of the company's mouldings business.

Jones said the company currently sells mainly to the UK market, but it is hoping to build an export business. He said currently Ley Rubber makes extrusions in rubber and limited quantities in PVC and TPE materials. He said the market is changing and he expects this side of the business will grow.

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