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A Sheffield machine knife manufacturer that was set up in 2000 has defied all expectations by growing to 12 times its original size in just 6 years. As a result, WDA Machine Knives Ltd has moved to new premises at Dore House Industrial Estate in Orgreave to cope with demand.

The company’s founders previously worked at a different knife manufacturers, but left to set up their own business. Initially, they provided a regrinding service for industrial knives using a machine they had modified themselves, however business grew at such a pace that they soon started buying more sophisticated equipment to cope with demand.

“We still use the original grinding machine that we started the firm with 6 years ago,” said Andrew Harris, Managing Director of WDA. “It’s still perfect today to do our precision work, but now we have a number of large machines to speed up the manufacturing process.”

The company now specialises in cutting blades for the paper and print, plastics, packaging and food processing and confectionery industries.

WDA Machine Knives moved from Woodburn Road Enterprise Park to Orgreave to accommodate the latest investment, a Bystronic laser cutting machine, which was funded with help from Business Link South Yorkshire. Business Adviser David Bennett has been working closely with the company since its early days.

“David’s expert help has been absolutely invaluable to us, particularly because the firm has gone through such rapid growth,” said Andrew. “He has helped us apply for a number of grants, including the Selective Finance for Investment in England from the DTI.”

“It’s great to see such a young company doing so well,” said David. “And the future’s looking bright for them. They are concentrating more on exports, which currently make up 50% of sales but will increase in future as they are looking to supply over 15 countries worldwide. In such a competitive global industry, it just goes to show that Sheffield companies still have the edge through use of design and innovation.”

Source: Business Link South Yorkshire