In response to a recent increase in demand, Stage Electrics has decided to invest in a fifth manufacturing
workshop. The already busy manufacturing function assembles a range of products including internally wired
lighting bars, facility panels, equipment racks, mains and low voltage cables as well as standard and
bespoke stage management desks.

This change in demand has prompted the decision to move the process
nearer to the components stock, which will allow the team to cut their current production time by 15% and
support the manufacturing department’s effort of hitting their operational targets with greater ease.
Head of Manufacturing, Richard Thompson, has been a Stage Electrics employee for 19 years. ‘We produce
a range of technical products specifically for the entertainment industry, the existing workshops are at
maximum capacity therefore this new infrastructure is vital to the busy manufacturing process we have here
at Stage Electrics.

Much of the £1.5 million that the department turns over each year is consumed by our
own Installation division.’
He further explained the decision making process. ‘The principle objective was to ensure that we achieved
efficiency, particularly in regard to the layout facilitating the flow of volume products passing through the
workshop.’ After identifying several potential locations at the company’s Bristol headquarters, it was decided
that an area in the company’s 8,000 sqft Central Sales Distribution Warehouse provided the most flexible
and scalable space.

‘The new manufacturing workshop has been designed to support the companies Just-in-Time processes,’
Richard describes ‘for instance, we incorporate JIT into the production of cables and assembly of lanterns,
drawing on the significant sales stock held in the warehouse allowing us maximum flexibility in order to
respond to increases in demand.’

This recent expansion is one of a number changes currently running through the company’s manufacturing
function. The new, bespoke manufacturing facility will allow for continued growth and expansions to cater for
the continued demand of the Stage Electrics installation division and that of sister company Northern Light.