Case Studies

Inigo Jones

05/11/2008

Inigo Jones Slate Works was founded in 1861 primarily to produce school writing slates.

By the early 20th century the business had expanded to incorporate house building materials such as doorsteps and sills, as well as a variety of industrial components.

Due to its thermal stability and chemical inertness, slate was used for laboratory benches, and, being fireproof and a good electrical insulator, it was in demand for the construction of early 20th century electric switchboards.

Today the company has branched out into a broad range of natural slate products including bespoke kitchen and bathroom features, headstones, garden goods and craft products such as clocks, coasters, placemats, wall plaques, jewellery and wine racks.

The company specialises in producing engraved slate nameplates and plaques which are all made to order, as well as producing trophies - the company makes the bases for the BAFTA Cymru awards.

The company is constantly expanding its range and the latest additions to the Inigo Jones stable are slate speakers and slate speaker stands.

“Our speaker stands have proved to be extremely popular as they can be made to order for any type of speaker and considerably improve the sound quality,” explains Roger Davis, one of the company's directors.
“Slate has become a hugely popular commodity, not only for its aesthetic appeal, but for its durability - it does not shrink, warp or rot, and the potential for creating slate products is immense,” he adds.

Working with Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Wales.

With support from a Welsh Assembly Government AIG grant, Inigo Jones made a five-figure capital investment in state-of-the-art machinery designed to automate the slate engraving process.
As well as being faster, use of computer numeric controlled (CNC) technology improves quality and consistency in the slate engraving process.

“The technology releases our workers from repetitive tasks that are prone to inaccuracy, freeing them up to carry out the more creative elements of producing artisan goods,” confirms Roger Davis.

MAS Wales managed the transfer process from the original sandblasting techniques to automation - ensuring that the changeover was completed smoothly with minimum disruption to Inigo Jones's daily working patterns.
MAS Wales also provided IT input that enabled the company to adapt existing software to its needs rather than make a further capital outlay.

Support with staff training enabled key workers to operate the technology, ensuring continuity of production.

Outcome of working with Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Wales

MAS Wales support enabled Inigo Jones to increase production in the craft aspect of its business by 70 per cent.
“The craft element of the enterprise is very important to us as it's high value,” confirms Roger Davis. “Our problem was the bottle neck caused by the labour intensive nature of letter and number engraving. Now that element of the work has been automated, our production capacity has improved enormously.”
“This support has enabled us to increase turnover, and also prevented unnecessary expenditure on new software.”
Mike Gibson of BIC Innovation, MAS Wales delivery partner in North Wales, adds:

“Automation has served Inigo Jones well, enabling the company to increase production, accuracy and consistency, but without compromising the hand-crafted nature of its products.”

“Our input enabled the company to make best use of its machinery and technology, ensuring that they received maximum benefit from a substantial capital investment.”