Zero Cases is seeking to maintain its position as the UK’s leading manufacturer
of protective cases, containers and enclosures by attracting new customers from
industries outside its established market in the defence sector.
“In the current economic climate our aim is to stay on course to hit our turnover
targets by winning more business from non-military related markets,” commented
Zero’s plant manager Mike Dimmack.
“While we will remain very focused on our traditional customer base within the
defence sector, we will be promoting our products and services more to prospective
customers in the aerospace, oil and gas exploration, and power generation sectors.
“We see great potential in these sectors, particularly in aerospace, for both our
custom-made and standard modular containers. These offer the same high levels of
internal protection as traditional containers but are significantly lighter, which can
lead to considerable savings in transport costs.”
Zero’s product portfolio includes reusable, recyclable and low-carbon transit and
storage containers, carrying cases, rackmount cases and components. Made of deep-
drawn aluminium or rotomoulded plastic, they offer maximum protection against
shock and vibration.
In addition to protecting cargo and equipment in transit, its enclosures are used to
house vital electrical sensors, systems and components that are integral to planes,
helicopters, rockets and satellites.
Engineers at the company’s Smethwick factory are currently working on a prototype
for a new design of case for one of the UK’s biggest energy companies. The
demanding specification requires that the case is robust enough to transport turbines
and engines safely while being light enough to be ferried by helicopter to oil and gas
explorations platforms out at sea.
Zero is promoting its ability to provide these kind of innovative, bespoke solutions
through coverage in the local and trade press, by attending trade exhibitions, and via
networking forums such as Made in the Midlands – it was one of the winners in the
Manufacturing Achievement category at this year’s Made in the Midlands Awards. It
also plans to revamp and upgrade its website, giving it a greater emphasis on the UK
scene.
Another Zero initiative is the development of a service and support function to
maintain and refurbish its products, extending the working lives of containers and so
giving customers a longer return on their capital investments.
As part of its continued quest to access previously untapped market sectors and
improve customer service, Zero has strengthened its sales teams with the appointment
of Jon Hazell as european sales director, Samantha Carolan moving to UK regional
sales, and Jacky Homfray joining the internal sales team, who all bring considerable
experience to their respective roles.