Silver Fox Limited was formed as a family-run business in 1977 making specialist labelling equipment with husband, wife and two sons all engaged now in driving and supporting the business. They have major clients in the transit and telecoms sectors including London Underground, Network Rail, Vodafone and Virgin Media.
Innovation and service is at the heart of what they do, whilst taking a strong interest in corporate social responsibility. In 2020, they became the first manufacturing company in Hertfordshire to become carbon-negative. To help Silver Fox Ltd to overcome their business growth challenges, they sought assistance from the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP).
As part of their MGP package of support, the business received a fully funded GROWTHmapper® review of their business; this highlighted that they would benefit from marketing support to drive forward business growth.
Their MGP business improvement project included a review of messaging and channels; and an action plan was formed to generate more traffic to their website with new digital marketing campaigns. The business is already reaping the benefits of the support with new client interest and increasing sales forecasts.
With support from MGP, they have also made a substantial investment in new machinery and celebrated this new development with a launch event on 24th June 2022 with Transport Minister, Grant Shapps, in attendance who is the MP for the Welwyn Hatfield constituency where they operate.
Manufacturing Growth Manager for Hertfordshire region Amanda Freeland commented, “The company is a great example of a specialist firm that has really served their marketplace, formed strong connections with very large clients and makes products that are world-beating. In addition, they are a carbon-negative company, taking environmental concerns very seriously.”
Silver Fox have been strong advocates of the MGP since they first started working with the programme. Director Nick Michaelson even wrote to his MP Theresa Villiers to comment on how helpful the funding has been in their business! Nick offered this advice to other SME manufacturers, “Make the most of your MGM – it is a really helpful service, and they make it so easy. Also look at the long-term plan for your business and use this funding to make things happen more quickly.”
In the future, they plan to recruit more staff and expand into the USA, having already completed rail projects in Vietnam, India, the USA and Saudi Arabia. They have also recently acquired their first Canadian distributor.
For more information about Silver Fox Limited visit https://silverfox.co.uk/