Manufacturing Development & Staff Investment

Riggs Autopack Ltd has an outlook as impressive as its plush new surroundings in Nelson. Riggs relocated last summer, moving across town from Southfield Street to Premier Mill in Brunswick Street and into a 50,000 square feet purpose-designed unit. The business, market-leaders in the manufacture of filling equipment for the food industry, has continued to grow. Over the years the company has developed a professional, highly skilled team and is proud of their staff. As part of the company’s continued growth strategy and to cope with an increase in demand for their filling machinery, they continue to invest in both manufacturing and key personnel. During 2014, they've recruited a number of additional personnel within key areas of production and design. These include: Paul Day Paul Day joined as Works Manager in March 2014 from their parent company Fort Vale Engineering and brings thirty years of experience within the company. A background in machining, inspection, quality and assembly gives the former apprentice a wide knowledge of production which he plans to put to good use under the leadership of General Manager Nigel Matthews. “Paul’s considerable manufacturing and organisational experience will be vital in helping us maintain a high level of customer service and drive staff development,” said Nigel. Paul is already very proud of his new team and commented: “The work they’re producing is extremely high quality. The growth they’ve had over the last three to five years is phenomenal. Year on year they have broken records. Presently, my main aim is to maximise productivity making sure we do the right things effectively and efficiently. I want to help continue the progress they’ve clearly already been making”. Gary Driver Gary started in June as general operative. Gary’s duties include deliveries, pickups, general cleanliness, supplying CNC with material, and assisting on assembly where and when required. James McCarthy Jimmy joined in July as a semi-skilled machinist. Jimmy has excellent experience and is already a valued addition to the machine shop team. He’s a quick learner which can only benefit Riggs in the long term. Peter Whittaker Peter Whitaker joined in May and his background is in tool making. He was brought into the company to enhance certain key areas of manufacture, that being jigs and fixtures. He will provide support in the machine shop and the new position will also allow Riggs to maximise production on CNC machines. Jonathan Cumberland Jonathan joined us from Training 2000 where he was studying an engineering scholarship. We were keen to employ an apprentice this year; the advantage of Jonathan is he's already completed his first year of job training, so he comes into the business to learn what we manufacture, how we make it and where it’s specifically used.