If I’d known you were coming, I’d have baked more cakes

November 13, 2009  

I’m sure that by now, most of you must be thinking that the only things my job as a journalist involves are quaffing wine and eating cake – well, to be honest, you wouldn’t be that far off.

Yet again, I was coerced recently into visiting another company site, with the main intention of sampling the wares on offer – this time for an inaugural open day at Kasto’s new site in Milton Keynes. Obviously there was some work involved, but I was initially tempted by the prospect of munching on some home-made cake, baked by one of the managing directors and offered as part of the day’s proceedings.

The cake cutting ceremony certainly seemed to enhance the inaugural open house day, which had been arranged to mark the relocation of the UK operation with warehouse and showroom from Southampton to Milton Keynes.

Ernst Wagner, managing director, says that the new building is similar in size to the old premises in Southampton, but much closer to its main customer base. Many of its aerospace customers as well as Kasto users in the offshore, automotive and construction sectors are also to be found dotted around from south to north and a more central location is thus advantageous.

“In December 2002, our German parent company took over its former UK agent, Rivers Machinery, and contractually inherited the Southampton premises,” explained Ernst.

“Southampton was never an ideal location for our headquarters, whereas Milton Keynes is central and offers many advantages including a direct M1/A5 link from junction 14.”

The open house exhibition was not just about showing customers where Kasto’s new base would be. Fundamental to Kasto’s main aim as a company was find a solution that would stimulate the market to pick up on new technologies available, as well as encourage the next generation into manufacturing. This type of positive thinking really helps boost the industry’s mindset during these tough times, and any inspiration that can make people feel optimistic is always good.

A bit of home-made cake always does the trick too.