Company timeline

Company Time Line

2012 - Further upgrading of effluent treatment plant completed to both increase capacity and allow us to greatly better the allowable recommendations that the water authorities set for our industry. This enhances our status with our green ambitions and sits well with our 14001 environmental standard.
2012 - New developing production line installed to double our previous existing capacity.
2012 - New printing and laminating area build complete with lean principles used.

2011- New Operations Manager James Duncan-Finn joins the Qualitetch Management team
2011- New metal cleaning lines installed to aid rapid business growth
2011- New sales engineer joined the team to manage and develop business growth
2011- New buyer joins the team to improve efficiency gains and leadtimes offered to customers
2011- New production staff recruited as demand rises for Qualitetch services
2011- New etching line installed to meet growth needs
2011- Refurbishment of dispatch area completed to improve lean manufacturing route
2011- Upgrading of water treatment plant completed to improve efficiency gains and our environmental impact.
2011- New branding framework completed and new Qualitetch logo branding launched
2011- New 5 year strategy plan completed

2010- New ISO 9001-2008 standard achieved
2010- New apprentice taken on from our external training provider.
2010 - New maintenance technician employed to further strengthen our core process.
2010 - 2 day factory clean-down implemented as part of continuous improvement in both 5s and lean manufacturing principles.
2010- New training undertaken in both sales and image creation departments.
2010- A further production engineer recruited to work with customers on specialist projects for development.
2010- New production staff recruited to help with major demand rises during the first quarter of 2010
2010 - New exhibition artwork and brochure branding print signed off to underpin the strong Qualitetch brandname in the marketplace.
2010- refurbishment completed within tool-room and forming sectors.

2009- Sales move into newly reburbished offices on the Qualitetch site.
2009 - NEW interactive website launch with E-store- www.qualitetch.co.uk
2009 - Design and manufacture of automated metal cleaning line to increase product yield.

2008- Alexander Craig completes buy out of Qualitetch Components Ltd, seeing the departure of Barry Dupee & Linda Rathbone as directors.
2008- New lamination equipment installed
2008- Qualitetch to employ 2 new apprentices during the summer to continue our commitment to training.
2008- Restructuring of quality management system to consolidate all standards including 9001-2000,14001 & 18001 into one quality manual.

2007- Re-shuffle and strengthening of the strategic team
2007- 2 new Chemcut etching units installed
2007- Introduction of dedicated Kan Ban feed to line service
2007- Form room re-equipped with new precision presses
2007- Following installation of our water treatment plant a 2/3rd's saving on emissions ppm has been achieved.
2007- 2 key staff members have completed post apprenticeship training, and achieved HNC's in mechanical engineering.

2006- Structured plan for flow process improvements implemented
2006- Qualitetch introduce cell centric training for all employees
2006- Lean manufacturing floorplan agreed and implementation started
2006- Introduction of 5s programme implemented
2006- Alexander Craig becomes the new Managing Director
2006- Barry Dupee becomes the new Chairman

2005- Expanded 3D modelling capability by ongoing staff training
2005- Adopted necessary measures to become RoHS compliant
2005- Purchase of new multi-chamber Chemcut etching machine to increase manufacturing capacity
2005- Added ‘Form in Place Gasket’ capability to manufacturing service
2005- Two key members of staff attended Cranfield and successfully completed international accredited PCMI course

2004- Qualitetch joined PCMI
2004- Purchase of high precision spot welder
2004- Adopted a lead free policy company wide
2004- Manufactured and commissioned the first Universal Form Tool

2003 - Cellular re-flow assembly line installed and commissioned.
2003 - Redthorne ERP real time manufacturing software installed
2003 - Benchmark company for IIP beacon expansion project.
2003 - Multi-user Broadband capability for real time transfer of data files on line 24/7

2002 - ISO 9001 – 2000 awarded
2002 - Evening Telegraph awards for training and environment
2002 - Design for manufacture service launched

2001 - Supplied components to Beagle 2 space project
2001 - New automated stripping line installed
2001 - Open plan office suite constructed to house sales, finance, quality and engineering.

2000 - Factory extended to house the environmental control plant & volume etch line facility.
2000 - Complete replacement of all batch etching machines
2000 - ISO14001 environmental accreditation awarded
2000 - Installation of full email network capabilities via isdn

1999 - Qualitetch took Qualiteam to Disneyland Florida for Christmas as turnover target   reached.
1999 - Solidworks software installed

1998 - Wire erosion facility incorporated into tool room
1998 - Pro engineer software installed
1998 - Investors in people status awarded

1997 -Qualiform set up as post etch operations department with tool making capability

1996 - Expansion of forming capacity
1996 - Network computer system installed

1995 - Company restructured with Barry Dupee as MD. A production and sales manager recruited onto the management team plus additional manufacturing and support staff recruited.
1995 - Strategic and operational empowerment programme initiated
1995 - Bespoke material stores constructed

1994 - Quality manager recruited & ISO9002 accreditation gained.
1994 - Exhibited at manufacturing week.
1994 - Sudden death of Bob Rathbone

1993 - Turnover reached 0.5 million.

1992 - Premises purchased outright.

1991 - Establishment and growth.