Thomas Dudley

Thomas Dudley Ltd celebrates International Women's Day

Thomas Dudley — 08/03/2022

At Thomas Dudley Ltd, we value and appreciate all of our employees however, today we are celebrating International Womens Day.

Did you know only 23% of women work in Manufacturing and Engineering in the UK?

To show our appreciation, today we have treated our female employees.

Enjoy your chocolates ladies and thank you for being valued Thomas Dudley employees.

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2022 with Jacob Hardcastle

Thomas Dudley — 07/02/2022

I am Jacob Hardcastle and I am a Process Technician working at Thomas Dudley Limited in the plastics division, I work on injection moulding machines.

I decided on an apprenticeship rather than University as I am able to be paid and have a qualification at the end of the apprenticeship.

I applied to Thomas Dudley as it was something completely new to me, an industry that I didn’t know existed until I joined.

One of the best things about an apprenticeship is gaining knowledge from work and college whist being paid to do both.

If there was a negative I would say that having to shadow people when doing new things, as I like to be told what to do and then left to do it on my own and if I get stuck then I will ask for help

I am on an Engineering Technician Level 3 course with Dudley College but also day to day in house I have learned how to successfully make products using techniques and skills, this means that I am able to complete a process and go full circle when there is a problem in order to sort it out. I will continue to learn new skills and gain understanding daily.

In the mould shop there are some lovely people who can make you laugh and that makes the whole day go quicker, some days are good and some not so much depending on what has happened during the night that we have to deal with.

I see my career at Thomas Dudley and hopefully I will become a senor technician or head of the technical department, as I would have full control of the machines and their processes.

Jacob was asked if he would recommend Thomas Dudley for an apprenticeship.

He said “Yes I would if you want a new industry to go into then injection moulding is the way to go”.

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2022 with Callum Richards

Thomas Dudley — 08/02/2022

My name is Callum Richards and I am currently working in the accounts department of Thomas Dudley, I have also worked in sales and purchasing. As a commercial apprentice, the aim is that I will work in all areas of the business to gain a fuller understanding before settling in one area.

I decided on an apprenticeship rather than university as I wanted to gain practical experience while still having the opportunity to learn and go to university while still working.

I applied to Thomas Dudley as it is a great local company to me, with high potential to reach very high career goals within the company.

One of the best things about an apprenticeship is the chance to gain experience while learning. If I could see a negative it would be wanting to keep moving up the ladder to reach a higher position can take a little longer.

My external training so far has been a Business Administration course (year 1) and I am just completing AAT accounts course (year 2). We are now discussing what training I will move to next, this could be a management course or further accounts training. I have also learnt many skills since being at Thomas Dudley, including sales and accounts.

People at TD are very nice and respectful towards me and they are a very good group to work with and I would recommend the business to any prospective apprentice.

My ultimate plan is to continue to grow and reach the highest level I can within Thomas Dudley.

Thomas Dudley Foundry Are In The Home Weights Market

Thomas Dudley — 08/06/2021

Thomas Dudley has launched a range of hybrid weight plates for the home fitness market. These versatile weights can be used either with a bar or on their own using the ergonomically designed handles, which allow you to safely perform a huge number of weight plate exercises. Ranging from 1.25kg to 20kg they can be used to build weight sets for all abilities and are available in either 1” standard bar or 2” Olympic bar sizes.

Made in the UK at Thomas Dudley’s state of the art Foundry, these products are designed and manufactured to deliver assured quality and performance.

For further information please contact Adrian Knowles, Business Development Manager at aknowles@thomasdudley.co.uk

Thomas Dudley Foundry Moves Closer To One Site Goal

Thomas Dudley — 03/06/2021

Thomas Dudley Foundry have just completed building a brand new warehouse facility on its Duport Foundry site. This facility is planned to come on stream in late 2021 and will provide a central distribution point for all of our foundry activities.

The purpose built unit has over 2000 unique rack locations and will utilise a fully computerised inventory process to enhance both our stock holding capability and customer response time.

The first bold step on our journey to one site is nearing completion with many more to come over next few months.

We are also on Twitter and LinkedIn

What Is It? What Does It Do? How Does It Do it? Training @ Thomas Dudley Limited

Thomas Dudley — 03/06/2021

Article by - Andy Lovett Senior Business Development Manager

Thomas Dudley Limited / TYDE

I have just celebrated my 22^nd year of working at Thomas Dudley Limited, I started on 10^th May 1999. I have worked in one Sales Capacity or another and have been asked to reflect on my time within the business and what has driven me to be so passionate about passing on the product knowledge that I have gained over all those years.

Even as a child I was very interested in how things work. It would not be long before any mechanical toy that I had been given was taken apart to see how it all worked. Unfortunately, I was not that good at putting them back together again.

That interest in the workings of all things has followed me into my working life, being intently interested in the products that were manufactured and that I was going to be selling to the customers.

When I joined Thomas Dudley the Turbo 88 was still relatively new to the market. Changes in the Water Regulations (January 2001), were about to change the flushing cistern market In the UK as we knew it.

This change brought about the introduction of exciting new products. I saw the introduction of the Dudley Vantage Cistern, which was unique to us at the time, as well as our very early steps into the world of In-Wall Frame Systems, with the introduction of the Illusion Range. This also meant for me, that I had plenty of new product features and benefits that I could talk to my customers about.

The role of Business Development Manager to the OEM sector, sanitary ware and bathroom manufacturers, as well as bathroom retailers, meant that I could use my technical knowledge. What it did highlight to me at that time was that there was a lack of technical knowledge within the industry.

As part of this BDM Role, I was asked to develop our contact and engagement with the Plumbing Colleges, where we encouraged the students to start using Thomas Dudley products in their day to day work. We hopped that this early introduction would continue with them once they had qualified.

The business could see the benefit of the training and invested in a Product Training Room in 2006. This gave us the opportunity to invite customers, installers and plumbing students to the site in Dudley. This gave them a first-hand experience of not only our products but also our UK based Manufacturing & Testing facilities.

Being able to show customers and installers first hand has always been an advantage, but not everyone could get to the main office. In 2015 we took the show on the road, with the introduction of the Dudley Display Vehicle. This enabled us to take our range of products to those merchant customers, installers, and Plumbing Colleges who were unable to come to us.

When we opened the Main Office Building in 2018 a large part of the ground floor was handed over to a showroom display area. During the Covid lockdown we added to the experience by introducing a fully functioning product training room.

Recent changes within the business has meant some changes to my role and during Covid I was asked to take on the role of Technical Support, which I have now continued to do, working for the Tyde Business Unit, part of Thomas Dudley Group of Companies.

The Company has recognised the need to ensure that all staff (new and old) are fully up to speed with our product range and the importance of product training has, once again become a priority. This will make the customer experience of dealing with Tyde a smooth one.

I have prepared eight training modules covering the 6,000 products lines and have begun rolling these out to both our internal and external sales. It has always been my experience that when it comes to training, it is best to start at the very beginning and assume that the people you are training know nothing about your products or even the terminology used.

My intention for the training is to give the knowledge of:

What is it? What does it do? How does it do it? & Why do we sell it?

Hopefully once our sales staff have been through these training sessions, they will be in an even better position to be able to answer these questions, not only for themselves but for the range of customers that phone us every day.

I would like to think that I have been able to pass on the knowledge and experience that I have gained over the years ensuring that there is a smooth transition from the Old School to the New Generation.

Our fully functioning Product Training Room @ Thomas Dudley Limited

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2022 with Zac Flavell

Thomas Dudley — 08/02/2022

I am Zac Flavell and I work for the plastics division of Thomas Dudley within the maintenance department.

I decided not to go to university as I am gaining the same qualifications whilst getting paid and having a head start on those attending university.

Thomas Dudley was a company that I thought would offer me a good job but also progression for the future.

It can be a little daunting when you first start as a young apprentice, learning and understanding new things. But you soon realise most people are very nice and are willing to help and support you.

Since being here I have done lots of training including HNC L4 Mechanical Engineering, IPAF, Forklift truck and IMM appreciation. I started my latest course with Dudley College, Installation electrician and maintenance electrician, Level: 3, this will take me up to 2025!

Training and development is part of being an apprentice at Thomas Dudley as well as the above I will continue my day to day training and there is a plan later this year to do a hydraulics and pneumatics course.

I really enjoy the variety of jobs each day brings and each day is always different.

I would recommend Thomas Dudley to a future apprentice as they will develop you and put you through all the training you want and need to progress.

I would like to see myself in the future rising through the company and becoming the best engineer possible through training and experience.

Thomas Dudley Foundry Help Commemorate Abraham Darby The First

Thomas Dudley — 05/10/2021

Thomas Dudley Foundry helped to commemorate Abraham Darby the First, (the father of the industrial revolution). Cast iron plaques were supplied for a new statue in his honour, which was officially unveiled last week.

Born in Woodsetton, a stone’s throw from Thomas Dudley Foundry’s manufacturing facility, Abraham Darby the First developed a method of manufacturing iron in a blast furnace fuelled by coke rather than charcoal. This process marked a major step forward in the production of cast iron and made it possible to manufacture thin castings.

Thomas Dudley Foundry were delighted to be able to donate the cast iron plaques to the statue, in celebration of the man who paved the way for not only the casting industry, but the industrial revolution as a whole.

Further photographs can be found on the following link: Woodsetton - www.dudleyartbc.com

Are your ISO certificates worth the paper that they are written on?

Thomas Dudley — 01/07/2021

Article by Anthony Dugmore

ISO Management system certification should provide assurance to you, your customers and other interested parties that you operate robust systems that meet the minimum requirements of international management system standards. Such certification is usually for Quality Management (ISO 9001), Environmental Management (ISO 14001) and Occupational Health & Safety Management (ISO 45001).

For ISO certification of UK companies to be truly of value they must be issued by a certification body that is accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Services). More information can be found on this here.

Over the years I have seen a few UK companies proudly displaying ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 certification marks that do not carry the UKAS logo; what many of them do not realise is that rather than establishing their quality / environmental / OH&S credentials they may be signaling a real or perceived lack of commitment and understanding to their customers and interested parties. Indeed, quality professionals and those reviewing tender documents are more likely than anyone to recognise and take a negative view of companies that provide non-UKAS accredited ISO certificates so if you have non-UKAS accredited certification it could be losing sales for your business.

So what does UKAS certification mean and why is it more valued than a non UKAS accredited certificate?

A UKAS accredited certification body must meet a minimum set of criteria for assessing the management system of an organization including

Impartiality / freedom from conflicts of interest – this means that if an organisation provides consultation or management system services for a company they cannot then assess and certify their management system, i.e. they cannot mark their own work
Minimum standards of auditing - IRQA qualified and registered assessors
An assessment of each completed audit report by the assessment bodies compliance and risk team (or similarly titled function)
Independent verification by UKAS that assessment bodies meet all of the required criteria – e. the assessment bodies are in turn assessed by UKAS.

Reasons why some companies choose none UKAS accreditation bodies

Price – Operating to UKAS criteria costs money, those assessment bodies not adhering to it can massively undercut UKAS accredited assessment bodies.
Convenience – Many non-UKAS assessment bodies actually implement the management system on behalf of the company and then issue a certificate. This is a clear conflict of interest, they cannot give an impartial assessment of work that they have undertaken themselves.
Having no prior knowledge UKAS accreditation and its implications– A lack of awareness of UKAS accreditation means that many companies choose price and convenience, unaware of the potential pitfalls of non-UKAS ISO certification.

But non-UKAS is so much cheaper and more convenient, why pay more?

The hidden cost

Yes, non-UKAS certification is much cheaper on the surface but what is it really costing your business? A non-UKAS certificate could be preventing you from winning new contracts, damaging your credibility and giving the impression that you just don’t care enough about quality/environment/OH&S management to do it correctly. A non-UKAS ISO certificate could actually be detrimental to you…. and you are paying for it!

Meaningless systems that add no value

Another feature of some non-UKAS accredited certification bodies is that they do not care if you have a management system that meets the minimum requirements of the ISO standards in question, they don’t have to answer to a third party so they can issue certificates with impunity just to keep their customers happy, especially if they have also been paid to implement a system on the companies behalf. This often means that you have a meaningless management system that is doing nothing for your business.

Devaluing ISO management system standards and bringing them into disrepute

No doubt there are many good companies out there with great reputations for product / service quality that have non-UKAS ISO certification but there are also many firms with poor reputations for quality, environmental and safety standards and occasionally these are awarded ISO certificates by non-UKAS accredited certification bodies. Those with no knowledge of UKAS requirements hear of such awards and are left questioning the value of the standards.

In conclusion

ISO certificates that are not issued by UKAS accredited certification bodies could be damaging your reputation. Attempting to do quality/environmental/OH&S management on the cheap could actually be costing you money and eroding your credibility with trusted partners.

If you do have non-UKAS accredited ISO certifications then think about your customers and interested parties and how this may impact upon them. Ask; Do they care? Do your certificates pose a risk to winning new business or to your credibility and reputation? If the answer is yes then you may wish to rethink your certification requirements.

Thomas Dudley Foundry Needs You!

Thomas Dudley — 15/07/2021

Thomas Dudley foundries have seen a huge increase in demand driven by customers returning to the UK due to sourcing problems in Asia. We expect this trend to continue and are now looking to recruit in several key areas.

All our current vacancies are posted on our website www.thomasdudley.co.uk and up to the end of August we are offering an attractive incentive for anyone who recommends a successful applicant. After completion of a 3 month successful settling in period, we will send you a £200 of lovetoshop voucher.

All you need to do is ask anyone who applies to reference £200 August / your name and contact details on the application and the voucher will be posted to you.

We also have a rare opportunity for enthusiastic individuals with no previous foundry experience, successful applicants will be fully trained.

If you have a can do attitude and want to be part of a family business that will develop your skills and support your growth, please send an email to HR@thomasdudley.co.uk.

We plan to hold an open session on Thursday 22 July, 2021, so register your interest before 16h00 on Tuesday 20 July.

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week - a note from Joseph Moseley, Thomas Dudley apprentice

Thomas Dudley — 04/02/2022

My name is Joseph Moseley and I am currently based on the Duport site and my job is as a CNC Patternmaker. This involves the programming, operating and maintenance of three CNC machines.

In my opinion, nothing is more valuable in this industry then work experience. Following the completion of a Level 3 BTEC and at age 18, I had no substantial experience in the industry I desired a career in, so an apprenticeship seemed like the perfect bridge between education and the true working world. I believe it has now put me in a position to make any potential future studies much more relevant, as I can link it to real world scenarios.

When speaking to family regarding various apprenticeship opportunities, Thomas Dudley stood out as the well-respected local company with the most prospects and the greatest potential for a long successful career. The team has been incredibly welcoming and helpful throughout the duration of my apprenticeship.

Recognition from team members at all levels has been incredibly rewarding and motivating. It is very comforting being surrounded by those with substantial experience which can be called upon whenever I may need it. Support is always available, and good habits can be created to have a successful career.

Initially, creating a work/college balance can be challenging, and the break in routine definitely takes some getting used to.

I have almost completed my Level 3 qualification as a patternmaker/general foundry technician. This has recently been accompanied by a Level 2 Business improvement techniques course which has proved very useful in day to day working life.

I am moving onto further training and it has been agreed with the company that they would be willing to support myself through a transition into a university based qualification. I deem this to be a huge opportunity and something I am very grateful for.

I find high quantities of work challenging, but very engaging and rewarding. For myself, balancing and optimising the use of three machines can be difficult, but over time has become something that I take a lot of pride in. Watching a model come to life is something that a younger version of myself would have never believed to be possible.

100% I would recommend an apprenticeship with TD. Hard work is recognised and rewarded, and I believe that there is no reason why anybody couldn’t have similar success to myself if they were to work hard and strive for the best they can.

I would like to imagine myself in a position of greater responsibility, and soon due to have completed a bachelor’s degree. Through the chances the business has provided me, I will be in a very comfortable and strong position to achieve my career goals.

Lean Training at Thomas Dudley Limited

Thomas Dudley — 11/06/2021

Yesterday was day three of the Lean Training at Thomas Dudley, delivered by Paul Davies of In-Comm Training.

The team will go on to complete an NVQ following a project within their work areas.

Feedback so far has been very positive with the overall consensus being that everyone should have an overview of Lean to help them understand what it means to the business and the impact it can have.

Our training room lends itself to a positive experience for all concerned.

Well done all.

Thomas Dudley Foundry are Cooking!

Thomas Dudley — 16/08/2021

Thomas Dudley Foundry are cooking up a storm, making cast iron cookware.

Read all about it in the link below.

Britannia Cast Iron Cookware - Samuel Groves Online

Recognition for Apprentice - Joseph Moseley

Thomas Dudley — 18/02/2022

We are extremely proud of Joseph Moseley, who is one of our apprentices working in the Thomas Dudley Foundry.
Why you may ask?
Well, we are proud of all of our employees but Joseph successfully beat other apprentices to become ICME Apprentice of the Year 2022.
Randy Chalmers and Martin Bergin present Joseph with a cheque for £500.00, in recognition of his achievement.
Are you interested in an opportunity to join our apprentices at Thomas Dudley?
Contact mbickerton@thomasdudley.co.uk for more information about our vacancies.
#vacancies #business #opportunity #apprenticeships #family #benefits

Thomas Dudley's T Level Student

Thomas Dudley — 25/03/2022

Meet Jack Littlewood who is our first T Level student. Jack is studying Electrical Engineering at Dudley College and will be with us for 45 days.
Find out more about T Levels @ https://lnkd.in/dutn8FfC
Jack is working within the Thomas Dudley Plastics Division gaining some practical hands on experience.
He wants to progress his career within Electrical Engineering but unsure at the moment in which sector. Although he does know that he wants to be involved in the growth of green energy supplies and equipment.
#experience #career #greenenergy #growth #electricalengineering #familybusiness #values

Thomas Dudley presented with a Foundry in a Box

Thomas Dudley — 19/10/2021

The Cast Metals Federation have recently presented Thomas Dudley Limited with their innovative Foundry in a Box. It is a means to demonstrate the theory of casting without the danger of hot molten cast iron. Instead the project uses a metal with a much lower melting point that can be heated by a gas burner.

However, the mould making process is the same as we have traditionally used in our floor moulding section and is the basis for our airset and Disa moulding lines. The aim is to show students how the casting process works and we plan to use it as part of our intervention with local schools.

Photo of Dr Pam Murrell - CMF and Martin Dudley

Thomas Dudley Weight Plates on Amazon

Thomas Dudley — 02/03/2022

TD Foundry’s weight plate range is now available to purchase on Amazon!

The versatile weight plates can be used either with a 2” bar, or on their own using the ergonomically designed handles, which allow you to safely perform a huge number of weight plate exercises and with weights ranging from 1.25kg to 20kg, they cater for all abilities.

Manufactured from high quality grey cast iron for outstanding endurance they are finished with an Electro-painted coating, providing a durable and corrosion resistant high quality finish, for the ultimate combination of style and performance.

Made in the UK at Thomas Dudley’s state of the art Foundry, these products are designed and manufactured to deliver assured quality and performance.

So if you’re thinking about starting home workouts or adding to your home gym equipment, use the links below to head straight to our Amazon listings –

1.25Kg Weight Plate –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/1-25Kg-Weight-Barbell-Dumbbell-Exercises/dp/B09MSDYGKB/ref=sr_1_5?crid=23QNIV5A3U7WV&keywords=tdf+weight+plate&qid=1646057279&sprefix=%2Caps%2C248&sr=8-5

2.5Kg Weight Plate –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/2-5Kg-Weight-Barbell-Dumbbell-Exercises/dp/B09MSG35M2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=23QNIV5A3U7WV&keywords=tdf+weight+plate&qid=1646057996&sprefix=%2Caps%2C248&sr=8-4

5Kg Weight Plate –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weight-Plate-Barbell-Dumbbell-Exercises/dp/B09MSHVLR3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23QNIV5A3U7WV&keywords=tdf+weight+plate&qid=1646057996&sprefix=%2Caps%2C248&sr=8-1

10Kg Weight Plate –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weight-Plates-Barbell-Dumbbell-Exercises/dp/B09MSGSPJ6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=23QNIV5A3U7WV&keywords=tdf+weight+plate&qid=1646057996&sprefix=%2Caps%2C248&sr=8-2

15Kg Weight Plate –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weight-Plate-Barbell-Dumbbell-Exercises/dp/B09M47TPST/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1P5A95H2XM86C&keywords=tdf+weight+plate&qid=1646128741&sprefix=%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-9

20Kg Weight Plate –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weight-Plate-Barbell-Dumbbell-Exercises/dp/B09MSCV9V7/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1P5A95H2XM86C&keywords=tdf+weight+plate&qid=1646129078&sprefix=%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-5

Thomas Dudley's £0.5 million Investment

Thomas Dudley — 30/07/2021

Thomas Dudley have just completed the installation of a brand new Unheated Autopour to its latest DISA moulding machine.

This plant is now capable of producing all grades of grey and ductile iron at 425 moulds per hour.

The new plant is fully automated using optipour camera to position and pour moulds precisely. This is the first such plant Inductotherm have produced for the UK and confirms Thomas Dudley foundries position at the leading edge of manufacturing technology.

Thomas Dudley Urges Midlands Businesses to Attend Innovation Ideation Workshops

Thomas Dudley — 23/06/2022

Businesses based in the West Midlands, especially those involved in MedTech/HealthTech or CleanTech, are being encouraged to attend workshops with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to develop ideas for the region's Innovation Accelerator.

Aligning with the West Midlands Plan for Growth, the Innovation Accelerator will build the WMCA Manufacturing and Engineering strengths and be focused on two key areas, HealthTech & MedTech and CleanTech.

On Wednesday 29th June (CleanTech), and Monday 4th July (HealthTech & MedTech), WMCA invites partners to join their Ideation Workshops to help validate identified challenges and opportunities, refining areas of intervention requirements in preparation for expressions of interest opening in the second half of July 2022.

Announced in the Government’s 2022 Levelling up White Paper, The West Midlands Innovation Accelerator serves the purpose of forging a new co-design relationship between the region and Government, ensuring the region benefits from the commitment to increase in overall UK public Research and Development (R&D) funding to £20bn by 2024/5.

The Innovation Accelerator will be funded through a share of a new £100m fund, to be divided by three regional Innovation Accelerators over the next three years, to bolster the region’s innovation and R&D capability and capacity to spark commercial growth and investment. Martin Dudley, Chairman at Thomas Dudley, said:

“The Innovation Accelerator will be used to accelerate our region’s engineering R&D and Innovation strengths that lie at the very heart of our universities, economy and our manufacturing supply chains, pivoting them to springboard the growth industries of the future. By precision-injection of resources and expertise into just the right economic spaces we will stimulate and mobilise vibrant clusters of highest growth potential as force multipliers.

I believe we need to get as many Midland Manufacturing businesses to get engaged as otherwise all the funding will go to other sectors of the WMCA.”

Register for the Ideation Workshops below

Workshop 1: CleanTech

Date: 29th June 2022
Time: 2-5pm
Venue: Central Birmingham TBC (virtual access available)
Register here

Workshop 2: HealthTech & MedTech

Date: 4th July 2022
Time: 10am-1pm
Venue: iCentrum, Innovation Birmingham (virtual access available)
Register here

Thomas Dudley Joins MIM to Help Improve Manufacturing Eco-system in the Local Area

Thomas Dudley — 18/05/2021

Market-leading manufacturer of high-quality bathroom, plumbing, and washroom products, Thomas Dudley, has joined the trade association Made in the Midlands to encourage fellow members to get more involved with innovation and policies in the local area.

Based in Dudley, Thomas Dudley was established in 1920 and has a group of integrated businesses that are committed to UK manufacturing, innovations, and service. On top of manufacturing high-quality bathroom products, the firm also produces ductile iron castings to customer specifications.

Martin Dudley, Chairman at Thomas Dudley, wants to encourage more Midlands manufacturers to get involved with innovation, policies, and working together to create a community-like atmosphere within the sector. Martin believes that being part of Made in the Midlands will help them to connect with more businesses with this mindset and understand why others may not be getting involved with this. Martin said:

“In our experience, many trade associations and membership organisations struggle to get SMEs engaged with skills and innovation policies. A particular example of that would be apprenticeships. We want to work out how we can get more businesses, in the Black Country specifically, involved in skills, innovation, and productivity. We have seen a lot of this from Made in the Midlands so far and we hope that the platform can help us in our goal to get more manufacturers involved in these things.”

By being part of the Made in Group, Martin hopes to connect with large SMEs to see if they are working with local schools in their community and are sharing their best practices with other businesses that could benefit from their assistance. Martin continued:

“The Made in the Midlands ethos is very similar to our own - we are eager to get businesses working together to improve the local manufacturing ecosystem. We are also looking forward to offering our advice and expertise to fellow members to help come up with solutions to their business challenges.”

Martin mentioned that members may look forward to connecting with a business that is passionate about manufacturing and who are interested in learning best practices from other manufacturers. He concluded:

“Our main aim is to increase the gross value added in the local area, by supporting skills we can support the local community and their families. Manufacturing creates the majority of value in the local economy and therefore we want to get more large SMEs to share their skills to support this ethos.”

To find out more about Thomas Dudley head to their website: https://www.thomasdudley.co.uk/

TD Foundry and the UK Fly the Flag for Climate Change in the Foundry Industry

Thomas Dudley — 05/11/2021

TD Foundry has made the decision to close our coke fuelled Cupola melting furnaces and transfer all metal melting to our more energy efficient electric melting furnaces.

As an ISO 14001 certified company, our drive for continuous environmental improvement is at the heart of our business.

The motivation for the closure was due to our passion to support environmentally clean engineering and will mean a drastic reduction in both energy usage and carbon production.

Switching from a 100% fossil fuel driven cupola to electric melting only will have a huge impact on our carbon footprint, with the electric furnaces using approximately 50% less energy and providing a 75% reduction in carbon equivalent.

It is our belief that as alternative methods are available, the Cupola is a technology that should no longer be used for casting production anywhere in the world.

Alongside TD Foundry’s drive to improve our own environmental impact, the UK foundry industry as a whole, is making strides to lower its impact on the global climate.

In June 2021 37% of the UK’s electricity usage was produced from renewable energy sources whilst the annual coal consumption was only 0.5% of the world’s usage, in comparison to that of China who use over 50% of the worlds share of coal annually.

Castings made in the UK will have a much lower impact on the environment than any made in the Far East or any Foundry in Europe still using a Cupola. Coupled with further increases in greenhouse gasses due to shipping, the use of UK manufacturing companies has never been more critical.

*Figures taken from www.worldometers.info & Gov.uk Energy Trends Document.

Thomas Dudley - Finalists in the Express & Star Awards

Thomas Dudley — 25/03/2022

Thomas Dudley are very proud to be one of the finalist in the Express & Star Business Awards 2022 for Business of the Year.

Our entry was not only based on business innovation but the work we do with local school as and the wider community.

Good luck to us and our fellow finalists Homeserve Furniture Repairs and Metallisation and USP Steels.
Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/dt6VrPuU

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2022 with Reece Walker

Thomas Dudley — 08/02/2022

My name is Reece Walker and I am a Toolroom / Toolmaker apprentice at Thomas Dudley working in the plastics division. I decided on an apprentice rather than university as I prefer a hands on approach and my apprenticeship allows me to do that.

Thomas Dudley is a traditional family business that is moving with the times but still requires a number of skilled trades and that is why I chose them as a company to come and work for.

Doing an apprenticeship allows you to learn on the job, gain a qualification but also get paid for what you are doing. I do not see any negatives to an apprenticeship, with the right company and doing something you enjoy.

I am currently doing an Engineering Technician, Level: 3 course with Dudley College, which I am due to finish this year. I am unsure what training I will be doing next, but I am sure there will be more as well as the day to day learning whilst I am working.

I enjoy the people I work with and I enjoy doing my job. I would recommend Thomas Dudley for an apprenticeship and they are a good company to work for.

My future, I see myself being fully competent / trained, able to make my own decisions and identify solutions to problems.