EuropEan
The Mussett Group
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The Mussett Group busies itself across several sectors and is reaping the rewards as European Outlook discovers. By Ian Armitage
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he Mussett Group – made up of Mussett Composites, Mussett Engineering and Mussett Aerospace - provides a range of products to the aviation, oil and gas and telecommunications industries from its UK headquarters. The firm is fast-growing and is continuing to build its reputation as a key supplier to motorsport after helping produce components for several F1 teams including Virgin, Red Bull, Lotus Renault and Team Lotus through both its engineering and composites divisions “We are optimistic for the future and have enjoyed a good couple of years,” says owner, founder, chairman and CEO Gordon Mussett, 61, who recently spoke with European Outlook. “2011 saw turnover return to prerecession levels with strong growth and turnover was
THE MUSSETT GROUP
up significantly. Where did we see most growth? Well, we saw a rise in orders for the oil and gas industry, which has created lots of work for us. “Over the next 12 months or so we hope to improve further and have a goal of reaching £10 million in annual turnover,” he adds. The Mussett Group is 35 years old this year and has experience of working in the aerospace, composites, automotive, oil and gas and telecommunications sectors.
“Where did we see most growth? Well, we saw a rise in orders for the oil and gas industry, which has created lots of work for us”
Most of the firm’s recent growth has come from the oil and gas industry, for which it creates machined metal components for drilling operations, and in the telecommunications sector, where it makes bend restrictors to protect undersea fibre optic cabling from damage. The firm is also contracted to manufacture components for the aerospace industry, working on reverse thrusters for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and parts for the Bombardier CSeries. 3
Today, the company has around 110 staff in the three separate companies in the UK and has, in recent months, secured several new contracts. “We had a very busy 2011 and want to build on it, continuing the momentum. As part of that, and in order to meet the increasing workload, we are moving our aerospace arm into a dedicated machining facility – because we have actually been turning work away,” says Mr Mussett. “We are certainly looking to strengthen our position as a subcontractor for that industry with the new production area.” The new factory, which will be within the firm’s existing footprint in Loddon, Norfolk, in the UK, will be around 12,000sqft and will create more space for the company’s expansion. “We are looking forward to carrying the success of 2011 into 2012, “ Mussett says. “We have an excellent reputation as a supplier for machined
“We had a very busy 2011 and want to build on it, continuing the momentum. As part of that we are moving our aerospace arm into a dedicated machining facility” 4
components for the aerospace industry and we are hoping to further strengthen our position. “We will be moving some of our machining centres into this new area and we’ll also be investing in new equipment – it is an exciting time.” Significantly, he says, the new dedicated facility will help Mussett Aerospace achieve AS9100 Issue C accreditation, which is an internationallyrecognised quality management standard written specifically for the aerospace industry. The firm’s current aerospace work includes machining bearings for aircraft undercarriages and flight controls, he adds. “I must stress that we are very excited by the future,” Mussett says, before cautioning that the business does face challenges. “One of the major ones is recruiting skilled staff in the UK. We need new staff to enable us to take on new projects and expand. “Our big problem is definitely getting skilled people,” he says.
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THE MUSSETT GROUP
“If we could get more people our growth could be even greater. “It’s mainly CNC programmers and setters we’re looking for. We’re very short of them.” Several unqualified trainees had been taken on last year. “We’ve taken on four apprentices and I’m very pleased we’ve been able to do so,” Mussett says. “This is our attempt to address the engineering skills gap which has developed. The apprentices started on a year long intermediate training programme and are working for three days each week at the firm and then spend two days a week studying at college. When that is finished, they’ll spend a further two years studying towards an advanced apprenticeship. “It is a great way for us to train young engineers and give them the skills they need to work for us and develop their careers as engineers. There is a shortage of skilled people and this helps fill that gap and encourage more young people to train as engineers. “It’s really important that firms support young people to help them get a foothold in the industry. It helps keep businesses alive.” Why join Mussett? Simple – people love being involved in high profile projects. 5
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