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As production moves abroad, smaller companies have successfully diversified, while the big names are relying on their brand to keep business. Christopher Sell reports
The downturn in the UK manufacturing industry, coupled with a transition of production to eastern Europe has forced some smaller companies in the gear industry to alter the focus of their business and specialise in niche markets to survive. Meanwhile, larger companies, that don't feel the slowdown as much, are relying on their brand name to retain business.
One company which has refocused is Davall Stock Gears. It has moved away from its traditional manufacturing base of machine tool and OEM, into the medical field where it works on implants.
Senior manager Geoff Watts explained: 'Businesses are suffering from the attrition in UK manufacturing. It is not too much of a surprise - for a number of years the manufacturing GDP has declined.'
Responding to these market conditions, Davall has been forced to make changes to its business. For instance, in conjunction with University College London, the company has designed a new technology that will aid bone growth in children without having to operate on them. 'we saw our traditional marketing base declining and so we ended up getting access to work in less traditional areas,' he said. Davall's particular specialisation in gearing, called a spiradrive, has found use in the treatment of Osteosarcoma, a...