Omega Plastics Group has enjoyed continued growth since its acquisition of high-volume plastic injection moulding specialist, Signal Plastics, in 2015. Combining the first-class design for manufacture, tooling and assembly of Omega Plastics with the specialist high volume moulding and assembly provided by Signal Plastics, Omega Plastics Group is now one of the UK’s leading providers of plastic injection tooling and moulding services.
The new appointments support OPG’s continual investment in its facilities, kit and people. Back in December 2016, the Group relocated Signal Plastics to a larger 43,500 square foot factory unit in Bentall Business Park, Washington and invested over £1 million in new 180, 500, 800 and 1,300 tonne injection moulding presses and overhead robotic equipment. Earlier this year, the Group merged its two Omega Plastics sites in Blyth and Hartlepool into a new 45,000 square foot facility on the Team Valley Trading Estate, providing more than double the capacity of the two sites combined and houses the Group headquarters.
Craig Swinhoe – Group MD, Ron Dunlop – Operations Manager at Signal Plastics and Julian Jamieson – Group Operations Director
Julian, Operations Director of Signal Plastics since 2009, has recently been promoted into the newly created role of Group Operations Director with responsibility for overseeing all operational aspects of the group strategy.
Julian has an extensive operations background spanning 20 years in multiple engineering sectors, from electrical and mechanical engineering, to injection moulding. With a view for quality, customer service and employee engagement, Julian will oversee the running of both the Omega Plastics and Signal Plastics sites at Gateshead and Washington. He is supported across the Group by Steve Fairbairn – Tooling Manager, Rob Gray and Ron Dunlop – Operations Managers, Dan Thompson – Commercial Projects Manager, Paul Anderson – Group Quality Manager, and Project Managers Iain Lyon, Keith Moody and David Greasley.
Of Julian’s appointment, Craig Swinhoe, Group Managing Director said:
“OPG has grown over the last 15 years from an SME with 6 employees to a £10m+ turnover group with over 110 employees. We have two enviable manufacturing facilities in the North East with a highly skilled team of toolmakers, project engineers and operators who provide a high-quality service to our customers using the latest machinery and technology.
As we look to continue our expansion into new sectors and services it made sense to ensure that both of our businesses and sites had the same operational consistency and approach to our customers and processes. Julian’s expertise in these areas and the strength of his team will enable us to have a more integrated group approach and use best practice across both of our locations to ensure we are providing a service that meets the expectations and needs of all our customers across our Automotive, Healthcare, Consumer Goods and Technical and Industrial Products sectors “
Ron Dunlop also joins the team at Signal Plastics as Operations Manager to run the site at Washington.
Ron has over 20 years’ experience working within the Automotive industry and has held various managerial roles within Logistics, Production, Operations, Projects and Continuous Improvement areas of Automotive.
Of Ron’s appointment, Julian Jamieson, Group Operations Director said
“Since the acquisition in 2015, Signal Plastics has seen significant investment and growth with turnover that has more than doubled. As we continue to grow both Signal Plastics and Omega Plastics it is important that as well as the right kit and systems, we have the right leadership in place across the Group. Having had responsibility for a site with twice the current turnover of Signal Plastics, Ron brings significant plant management and Automotive sector experience as we look to continue Signal’s growth and bring new programs on-line later this year and next. I look forward to working with Ron to help Signal, and the wider Group, reach new heights”
With further strategic appointments still to be made, and ongoing exposure into sectors such as Healthcare, Consumer Products, Aerospace and Defence, and Industrial and Technical products, Omega Plastics Group is continuing to go from strength to strength.
