Insight

Socket & Allied has been manufacturing traditional socket products including special socket screws and set screws since 1986 – originally serving the UK distribution market from a small facility in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham. In 2007 the company expanded into a larger manufacturing premises – also in the city and three times the size of its previous location – to prepare for future growth.

Kevin Bradley, director at Socket & Allied, comments: “Soon after we’d moved facilities, the UK economy took a dip. However, we managed to succeed during this uncertain period thanks to our ability to supply high-quality products and a reliable service to our customers. In 2014 we decided we had established the right infrastructure and a good reputation, so it was time to increase our product range and capacity.”

It was around this time that – with a background in the fastener industry – Director Amo Chaunkria joined the company. Kevin explains: “Amo was brought into Socket & Allied to focus on growth in a controlled and planned way. He wasn’t just going to come into the company and accept the status quo, he was here to move the business forward in a significant way and make some major decisions both in terms of investment and bringing in new expertise.”

Using a grant from Birmingham City Council’s Business Growth Programme, Socket & Allied was able to invest in 22 CNC machines, including two Star SR-32J sliding head CNC machines, a Mori Seiki Sl-25 lathe, and two TPT 2S Polygon turning high-speed milling machines. The company has also employed five new members of staff with expertise and previous experience working within the fastener industry.

“The investment in the machinery and employees wasn’t just about doubling our manufacturing capacity. We gained five new staff members across the production floor with unrivalled expertise, which has meant our efficiency has increased substantially. It has also enabled us to expand into different product ranges and market sectors such as the oil and gas, energy, electronics, defence, rail and transport industries,” states Amo Chaunkria.

Socket & Allied now supplies high integrity fasteners for high-end markets using exotic materials including inconel 625 and 718, Duplex 32760, 32750, and 31803, Nimonic 80A, and titanium in diameters M2 – M100.

All products made in-house are manufactured from materials sourced from the EU and the company can provide 3.1 certification to prove the origin. In order to serve its customers’ every need Socket & Allied can also offer more services in-house such as quality, testing, inspection and a bespoke wedgloking afterservice. This involves the process of embedding an engineered plastic pellet compressed into the side of the thread – promoting a locking action.

Its size and position are standard but can be modified to meet customers’ requirements. “We are giving control back to our customers to promote a high-quality service. Today, Socket & Allied is a long established UK manufacturer of special socket screws and bespoke fastener components, supplying both the UK and a global distribution customer base. It has been an important transition but an exciting one all the same,” proudly states Kevin.

“We are committed to producing quality fastenings for a variety of applications. We recognise that quality products enhances both the performance and safety aspects in numerous industries. It’s this commitment that enables us to pursue new opportunities within new markets,” adds Kevin.

Along with entering new market sectors Socket & Allied is now focusing on growing and expanding its European customer base. “Whilst there is political uncertainty regarding ‘Brexit’, as a UK manufacturer we’re regarding the situation as an opportunity to grow our customer base within Europe. The Pound is making UK-based companies as competitive as ever and as a result we’re beginning to see more enquiries from Europe including Germany, Norway, Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands. Add to this the quality products we provide, the personal service we offer, and the partnerships we create, there is certainly a big benefit to buying UK manufactured products,” comments Kevin.

As well as growing its European customer base, Socket & Allied is committed to maintaining its large network of UK distribution partnerships. “People deal with people, and we’ve found that other companies in the last few years have taken away the personal touch. Some companies focus solely on online ordering and sales. We, however, create partnerships with our customers and support them at every stage of the process. We have 30 years of expertise in providing the right product for a particular application and we’re committed to making sure the correct solution is always offered,” explains Kevin.

To help with this, Socket & Allied has also launched a new website with improved functionality, design, and navigation, which includes a new digital brochure accessible through mobile devices.

2016 has clearly been an important year for Socket & Allied. At a time when the UK is facing uncertainty in Europe, the company is focused on expansion and growth, as well as maintaining the partnerships it has established over the last 30 years. With the investment in machinery, along with a specific future growth plan, there is an excitement at the Birmingham facility that there is even more yet to come.