TNB: Can you tell us a little bit about Talisman Plastics?
MH: Talisman as an organisation is almost 100 years old, probably the longest established, injection moulding company in the UK.
We were rebranded a few years ago as Talisman Plastics. Prior to this we were LGG Charlesworth, a family business, which is where our reputation was first built.
We’re based in Malvern, just off the M5 corridor. We have been part of the Pemberstone Ventures Group for the past 15 years. PVG provide support in many forms, including access to finance for those bigger investment projects.
We employ circa 50 staff, working 24hrs a day, five days a week. During 2020 the site moved to seven-day working to help ensure the NHS increased demand for clinical waste seals was met.
TNB: Tell us more about Talisman’s work
MH: Our technical moulding division specialise in providing components which use engineering polymers, across a wide range of applications and markets, including automotive, where injection moulding can be used to manufacture a huge array of parts of all types of vehicle.
We can mould parts weighing from 5 to 700 grams. Single shot clear mouldings to challenging technical over-mouldings, as well as insert moulding.
For those readers who don’t know, plastic injection moulding is the process of melting plastic pellets (thermosetting/ thermoplastic polymers) that once malleable enough, are injected at pressure into a mould cavity, which fills and solidifies to produce the final product
TNB: What’s the big advantage of injection moulding?
MH: There are many, including the fact we are part of a large group with lots of resources to call on when needed but at the same time we are small enough to be flexible and able to change quickly to meet customer needs.
Added to this we have served the automotive sector for many years and are very familiar with industry requirements which saves a lot of time early on in the projects.
When it comes to the automotive sector, injection moulding allows manufacturers to swap heavier components perhaps made out of metal with more lightweight plastic components. This can represent potentially a cost saving and a weight saving which is especially important for commercial vehicles.
TNB: Where will we have seen your work?
MH: Well, unfortunately most of our work’s never seen. We make an awful lot of components used under the surface of a vehicle, often things to hold panels together which most people will never see.
There are still lots of examples that are visible though – things like name badges, tread plates and exhaust surrounds – that we make for a number of high-profile brands.
We’re seeing an increased demand now from manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers for vehicle personalisation options and this is becoming increasingly common in the LCV market.
The commercial vehicle sector is definitely an area where we will be looking to grow and use our expertise in.
TNB: How’s 2020 been for the business?
MH: It’s certainly had its challenges, but we’ve taken the opportunity as a business to re-layout our shop floor and to invest in new plant and equipment.
For example, we’ve brought new 160mt machine kitted out with state-of-the-art robot which has created extra capacity.
Martin Hefford, Technical Sales Manager
