Archive for category: Blog

Sourcing custom plastic extrusion profiles from a UK manufacturer sounds simple enough. Send a drawing, get a quote, start production.

The reality is that there are more variables involved than most buyers expect, and the decisions made before a single metre is extruded have a direct bearing on whether a programme runs smoothly at volume or creates headaches further down the line.

This guide covers what to look for when specifying and sourcing custom profiles, what information you need to bring to a supplier, and what genuinely separates a manufacturer built for long-term high-volume production from one that isn’t.

What Do You Need to Specify a Custom Extrusion Profile?

Most delays at the start of a new extrusion programme come down to the same thing. The brief wasn’t complete enough when it first landed with the supplier. Tolerances weren’t specified. The end-use environment wasn’t mentioned. Volume requirements were vague. What should have been a straightforward kick-off turns into a week of back and forth before anyone can move forward, and that’s before a single design issue has been identified. 

Getting to a quote quickly comes down to how complete your brief is when you first approach a supplier. The more detail you can provide upfront, the faster an experienced manufacturer can assess feasibility, advise on material or process, and get you to production. 

At a minimum, you’ll need to provide: 

• A 2D cross-section drawing showing profile geometry and dimensions 

• Your material requirement, or the performance properties you need the profile to meet if you’re not sure on material yet 

• Dimensional tolerances 

• Annual volume and typical run quantities 

• The end-use environment, including temperature range, UV exposure, any chemical contact and whether flame retardancy is a requirement 

Once a drawing is received, the engineering team at Goodfish reviews it for manufacturability before any tooling is committed. That means checking wall thickness, geometry and tolerances against what will run reliably at volume. If there are potential issues, such as wall sections too thin to hold tolerance in production or geometry that would complicate the die, those get flagged and resolved before the programme starts rather than after. 

It’s a step that saves time and cost, and it’s standard practice on every new project.

Co-Extrusion and Multi-Strand Extrusion. Do You Need Them?

Most buyers come to an extrusion supplier with a single-material, single-profile run in mind. That’s often the right answer. But there are two capabilities worth understanding before tooling is committed, because either one could simplify your production process or reduce your unit costs significantly. 

Co-extrusion

Co-extrusion combines two different materials in a single continuous profile, run simultaneously through the same die. A common example is a rigid PVC body with a soft TPE edge, useful where the profile needs to make contact with another surface without causing damage or where a seal is required as part of the profile itself. Rather than bonding two separate components together downstream, you get one profile that does both jobs straight off the line. 

Multi-strand extrusion

Multi-strand extrusion runs up to four profiles simultaneously in a single pass through the line. For customers with multiple profile SKUs or high volume requirements, this has a direct impact on output rates and unit economics. Rather than running each profile separately, multiple strands come off the line at the same time, which means more metres produced per hour and better utilisation of machine time. 

If your current supply arrangement involves separate production runs for profiles that could be running together, it is worth raising with your manufacturer. 

As with co-extrusion, the question to ask any supplier is simply whether they have the capability in-house and whether your application and volumes would benefit from it. 

Neither option is complicated to specify if you’re working with a manufacturer who runs it regularly. The question to ask your supplier is simply whether they have the capability in-house and whether your application would benefit from it. A good manufacturer will tell you honestly if a single-material profile does the job just as well. 

What both options have in common is that they remove process steps downstream. If your current design involves bonding, clipping or assembling separate components to achieve what a co-extruded profile could deliver in one pass, it’s worth having that conversation before tooling is finalised.

Secondary Operations. Don’t Let Finishing Become an Afterthought

One of the more common frustrations in extrusion supply is discovering late in the process that your manufacturer extrudes the profile and stops there. Cutting, drilling, punching, printing. Anything beyond the core extrusion run gets handed back to you to organise elsewhere. For a business running lean, that means managing an additional supplier relationship, additional handling, and additional opportunity for tolerance drift between processes. 

It is worth asking any potential supplier what they can do with a profile after it comes off the line, before you commit to working with them. 

At Goodfish, secondary operations are integrated directly into the production workflow rather than treated as an add-on. That includes cutting to length, punching and drilling, double-sided tape application, protective film and inkjet printing at set intervals along the profile. Components leave the site ready for installation or direct assembly, without an intermediate step. 

 

The practical benefit is consistency. When cutting and finishing happen in the same controlled environment as the extrusion itself, dimensional accuracy is maintained throughout. There is no additional handling between processes, no second supplier to coordinate, and no gap in the quality chain. 

If your current supply arrangement involves collecting profiles from one supplier and sending them somewhere else to be finished, it is a process worth reviewing.

Tooling — Who Owns It, Where Is It Stored, and What Happens If You Switch Supplier?

Tooling is one of those topics that doesn’t get enough attention at the start of a supplier relationship and becomes a significant issue later. The die is the most meaningful upfront cost in profile manufacturing, and the terms around it vary considerably between suppliers. 

Before committing to any extrusion manufacturer, it is worth getting clear answers to three questions. 

Who owns the die once it has been paid for? Some suppliers treat tooling as their own asset regardless of who funded it. That matters enormously if you ever need to move production. 

Where is the tooling stored and how is it maintained? A die that sits in poor conditions between production runs will deteriorate. Consistency across batches depends on tooling being properly stored and maintained throughout the life of a programme. 

What is the process if you want to transfer the tooling to another supplier? You should know the answer to this before you need it, not when you are already trying to move. 

At Goodfish, all customer tooling is stored on site and covered by an ongoing MRO programme. That means dies are regularly inspected and maintained throughout the life of a programme rather than only looked at when something goes wrong. If you are currently working with a supplier where the tooling situation is unclear, Goodfish can also support tooling transfers, reviewing an existing die and running it on Goodfish lines, or advising whether retooling makes more sense given the profile geometry and volumes involved. 

Tooling transparency is not a complicated ask. Any manufacturer worth working with long term should be able to answer those three questions without hesitation.

Why Source Custom Extrusion Profiles from a UK Manufacturer?

For many businesses, the decision to source from a UK manufacturer rather than overseas comes down to experience rather than preference. Lead times that looked acceptable on paper turn out not to be when a production line is waiting. Quality issues that would take a day to resolve domestically take weeks when the supplier is in another time zone. Tooling conversations that should be straightforward become complicated by language, distance and logistics. 

None of this is a criticism of overseas manufacturing as a concept. For the right product and the right volumes it can work well. But for custom extrusion profiles that are running as part of an ongoing production programme, the case for keeping supply close to home is a strong one. 

UK manufacture means shorter lead times on repeat runs, direct access to the engineering team when something needs resolving, and a supply chain that isn’t exposed to port delays, shipping disruptions or currency movements in the same way. For customers with carbon reporting requirements, a shorter supply chain also has obvious benefits from a transport emissions perspective. 

There is also a practical point around communication. Being able to pick up the phone and speak directly to the people running your programme, in the same time zone, on the same working day, is something that is easy to take for granted until you no longer have it.

Why Choose Goodfish for Custom Plastic Extrusion Profiles?

There are a number of UK extrusion manufacturers to choose from. What follows is an honest account of what Goodfish brings to a programme and why it matters for customers running at volume. 

Scale that supports long-term supply

Goodfish operates 32 extrusion lines across two dedicated sites in North Wales, at St Asaph and Flint. That scale means customer programmes are not competing for capacity in the way they might be at a smaller operation. When volumes increase or a customer needs to bring forward a run, there is room to respond. 

Production output reaches up to 350kg per hour depending on profile geometry and material, and the sites handle profiles up to 255mm x 60mm in cross-section, which covers the majority of construction, electrical and industrial applications. 

Materials and process capability

PVC accounts for the majority of production across both sites, with in-house compounding and blending giving Goodfish direct control over material consistency and colour matching without relying on external suppliers. PC-ABS is also processed at the Flint site for applications requiring higher impact resistance. 

Co-extrusion and multi-strand extrusion are available for programmes where a single material or single profile run is not the most efficient solution, and the engineering team can advise on whether either option is appropriate for a given application. 

Secondary operations in-house

Cutting, punching, drilling, tape application, protective film and inkjet printing are all handled on site and integrated into the production workflow. Profiles leave Goodfish ready for installation or assembly, without an additional finishing step elsewhere. 

Tooling and MRO

All customer tooling is stored on site and covered by an ongoing MRO programme. Dies are maintained throughout the life of a programme so that repeat runs hold the same tolerances as the first. Tooling transfers from existing suppliers are also supported where customers are looking to move production to a more reliable or better-suited manufacturer. 

Quality and certification

Both sites hold ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification. In-process quality control is carried out throughout production runs rather than only at the end, which means issues are caught early and consistency is maintained across batches. 

A track record across the sectors that matter

Goodfish supplies extrusion profiles to customers in construction, electrical, automotive and industrial sectors. Many of those relationships are long-term programmes where consistent supply and reliable quality are non-negotiable. That is the kind of work Goodfish is set up to do well.

How to Get Started

If you have a profile requirement and you are evaluating UK manufacturers, the process of getting started with Goodfish is straightforward. 

Send us your 2D cross-section drawing along with your material requirements, dimensional tolerances, annual volumes and any relevant end-use information such as temperature range, UV exposure or flame retardancy requirements. The more complete the brief, the faster the engineering team can assess feasibility and come back to you with a meaningful response. 

Once a drawing is received, the team reviews it for manufacturability before anything else happens. If there are aspects of the design that need discussing before tooling is committed, those conversations happen at that stage rather than further down the line. 

There is no commitment required at the point of sending a drawing. The review and initial feasibility assessment are part of how Goodfish approaches every new enquiry, because getting the details right at the start is what makes the rest of the programme run well. 

To get the conversation started, use the contact details below or fill in the enquiry form and a member of the team will come back to you as soon as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What information do I need to provide to get a quote for a custom extrusion profile?

A 2D cross-section drawing is the most important thing. Alongside that, include your material requirements or the performance properties the profile needs to meet, dimensional tolerances, annual volumes and details about the end-use environment. The more complete your brief, the faster we can assess feasibility and come back to you with a quote. 

Can you handle co-extrusion and multi-strand extrusion?

Yes. Both capabilities are available at Goodfish. Co-extrusion combines two different materials in a single continuous profile. Multi-strand extrusion runs up to four profiles simultaneously in one pass. If you are unsure whether either option would benefit your programme, the engineering team can advise before any tooling decisions are made. 

Do you carry out secondary operations or just extrude the profile?

We handle secondary operations in-house including cutting to length, punching, drilling, double-sided tape application, protective film and inkjet printing. Profiles can leave our sites ready for installation or direct assembly. 

Who owns the tooling?

You do. All customer tooling is stored and maintained at our sites under an ongoing MRO programme throughout the life of the programme. 

Can you take over tooling from another supplier?

Yes. We support tooling transfers from existing suppliers and can review a die and run it on our lines. Where retooling makes more sense given the profile geometry or volumes involved, we will tell you that too. 

What sectors do you supply?

We supply customers in construction, electrical, automotive and industrial sectors. If you are unsure whether your application is a good fit, get in touch and we will give you a straight answer. 

Where are your extrusion sites based?

Both of our dedicated extrusion sites are in North Wales, at St Asaph and Flint. 

Choosing the right material is one of the most important decisions in any injection moulding project. It influences how a part performs, how the tool is built, how stable production becomes and how much the component costs to manufacture over its lifetime. When parts are produced in high volumes and form a critical part of a wider product, material choice has a direct impact on project risk.

Much of the information available online reduces material selection to short descriptions of common polymers. That may help at an early concept stage, but it does not answer the questions engineers and buyers face when moving towards production. Will the material fill the part reliably. Can it hold tolerance at volume. Will it meet sector requirements. Can it be processed consistently without driving up cycle time or scrap.

In many projects, the material decision is made early, often before a manufacturer has reviewed the design. That choice may be based on familiarity or cost, but the consequences tend to appear later, once tooling is complete and sampling begins. At that point, issues such as poor fill, cosmetic defects or unstable processing are harder to resolve without delay or added cost.

This guide focuses on the practical factors that matter when selecting injection moulding materials for production. It is written for designers, engineers and purchasing teams who want clear, experience-led guidance that supports confident decision-making.

Why material selection decides whether a project succeeds

Material selection affects far more than the look or feel of a finished part. It dictates how the polymer flows through the cavity, how it cools, how much movement occurs as it settles and how sensitive the process is to change. When a material is poorly matched to the geometry or production targets, problems often surface during tooling trials, when options to correct them are limited.

Different polymers behave very differently under pressure and heat. Some support thin sections and longer flow paths with ease. Others require tighter temperature control and place constraints on gate design and wall thickness. Shrinkage behaviour also varies widely, which directly affects dimensional control and repeatability.

At production volumes, these differences become commercially significant. A material with a narrow processing window can slow output and increase scrap. Reinforced polymers can accelerate tool wear and increase maintenance demands. Materials that struggle to fill consistently can force compromises that affect appearance and yield. These factors influence unit cost, uptime and long-term stability.

Many issues seen during early production are not tooling faults. They stem from a material choice that does not suit the part or the way it needs to be manufactured. Getting this decision right early gives a project far more chance of progressing smoothly into volume production.

The materials buyers ask for most and what really matters

Most projects begin with a preferred material already in mind. Sometimes it is a polymer used on a previous part. Sometimes it is chosen because it appears suitable on paper. The critical question is not whether a material can be moulded, but whether it can be moulded reliably at scale within the constraints of the design.

ABS and PC ABS are commonly specified for housings and enclosures because they offer predictable behaviour and good cosmetic results. They suit many applications, but designs with thin features or longer flow paths can expose their limits if this is not considered during tooling design.

Polypropylene is often selected for high-volume parts where flow and cycle time matter. It supports efficient production, but its flexibility and lower stiffness mean it is not suitable for every application. Geometry and performance expectations need to be aligned early.

Nylons, including reinforced grades, are chosen where strength and durability are required. Their shrinkage behaviour, moisture sensitivity and impact on tooling wear need to be accounted for from the outset to avoid instability during production.

Flexible materials such as TPEs, along with polycarbonate for strength and clarity, can perform well when their processing requirements are understood. Across all of these materials, success depends on how the polymer interacts with the part design, the tool and the production environment. Preference alone is rarely a reliable guide.

This is where early manufacturing input makes a difference, turning a material choice into a decision grounded in production reality rather than assumption.

Choosing a material that works in production, not just on paper

Effective material selection starts with understanding how the part will be used and what it needs to withstand. Performance requirements, environmental exposure and sector constraints define the boundaries within which a polymer must operate.

From there, geometry becomes critical. Wall thickness, flow length and gate position determine whether a material will fill consistently or struggle during moulding. Cosmetic expectations also need to be realistic, as some polymers support uniform finishes more easily than others.

Cost considerations extend beyond material price. Cycle time, scrap rates, energy use and tooling wear all contribute to the true cost of a component. Availability and supply stability also matter, particularly where lead times could affect ramp-up.

Simulation and early analysis help identify risk before tooling begins. When combined with manufacturing input, material selection becomes a controlled decision based on how the part will actually be produced.

The material decisions that quietly undermine projects

Material issues rarely show up at the start of a project. They tend to emerge once the tool is built and the first parts are moulded. At that stage, the scope for change is limited.

A common scenario is a material that cannot reliably fill the geometry. Freeze-off, inconsistent fill or visible flow defects appear during sampling, forcing teams to consider tool changes or material substitution. Both introduce delay and cost.

In other cases, the material produces acceptable parts but only with long cycle times or tight processing limits. At volume, this reduces throughput and increases scrap. Reinforced polymers can add further risk if tooling wear has not been planned for.

Supply constraints can compound these problems. A technically suitable material may carry lead times or minimum order quantities that do not align with production schedules.

In most cases, the root cause is the same. The material decision was made without full manufacturing input at the point where it mattered most.

Sector requirements change the material conversation

Sector requirements place further constraints on material choice. In automotive applications, materials must meet strict approval standards and perform consistently across different environments. A polymer that appears suitable early on can fail odour, emissions or durability testing once assessed properly.

Medical applications operate within even tighter boundaries. Approved materials are often fixed, which places greater emphasis on understanding how that polymer behaves during moulding and how stable the process will be over time.

Electrical and construction products bring different demands around heat resistance, long-term stability and durability. In every case, materials need to be assessed against real operating conditions rather than laboratory data alone.

How Goodfish supports material selection

At Goodfish, material selection is treated as part of the wider development process. When a new part is reviewed, the focus is on how the chosen polymer will behave in production and how it will interact with the tool design.

We use simulation based on specific material grades to understand flow, cooling and risk areas before tooling begins. This is combined with experience from high-volume production, where small material differences can have a measurable impact on output and quality.

As tooling develops, material behaviour remains part of the conversation. Cooling, venting and process control are considered together so the tool supports stable production from the outset. Where material choice is fixed by sector requirements, the emphasis is on consistency. Where options remain open, availability and supply stability are reviewed to support reliable ramp-up.

During sampling, early trials confirm whether the material performs as expected. Where external testing is required, this is coordinated as part of the approval process. The aim is to reduce uncertainty and avoid late changes.

Common material questions we hear during project reviews

What is the best material for injection moulding? 

There is no single best material. The right choice depends on how the part will be used, its geometry and the production volume. How a polymer behaves in a specific tool matters more than datasheet values.

How does material choice affect tooling cost? 

Some materials require tighter temperature control, more complex venting or harder tool steels. Others increase wear over time. These factors influence the total cost of ownership, not just the initial tool price.

Can recycled materials be used in injection moulding? 

In some applications, recycled or regrind content can be suitable. Its use depends on sector requirements and performance expectations. Consistency and process stability are key considerations.

When should a manufacturer be involved in material selection? 

As early as possible. Involving a manufacturer before tooling decisions are finalised helps align material behaviour with design and production targets.

Is it possible to change material after a tool is built? 

It can be done, but it often requires changes to tooling or processing and may trigger additional approvals. Early validation reduces the need for late changes.

Making the right material decision with confidence

Material selection shapes every stage of an injection moulding project. When the right choice is made early, tooling, sampling and production tend to progress with fewer interruptions. When it is not, issues often appear later, when they are harder to resolve.

This is why material decisions benefit from manufacturing insight rather than assumptions based on familiarity or documentation alone. Understanding how a polymer behaves in a specific tool and at production scale provides clarity before commitments are made.

At Goodfish, material selection is embedded within the NPI process. By combining practical experience with simulation, tooling insight and validation, we help customers move into production with confidence.

If you are reviewing material options for a new component or questioning whether an existing choice is right for volume manufacture, our team can help you assess the risks early. To discuss your project, get in touch with Goodfish.

Choosing between UK injection moulding companies is about more than technical capability. Manufacturers need consistency, scale and a supplier they can rely on long term.

Deciding on a plastic injection moulding manufacturer is not something purchasing and engineering teams take lightly. When comparing injection moulding companies in the UK, the risks, costs and long-term implications of that decision are significant.

Whether you’re transferring an existing tool or investing in a new one, when you’re looking to get more than 100,000 business-critical components manufactured per project, the stakes are high. If you’d like to understand the typical costs involved, our guide to tooling design and cost considerations explains the key factors that influence price.

Comparison guides are often used as a starting point when reviewing injection moulding companies in the UK, but they don’t always show whether a supplier is set up for ongoing production at scale.

For manufacturers moving beyond prototype or short-run work, factors such as process stability, available capacity and the ability to support long-term production become increasingly important. A supplier that performs well on paper may not always be structured to support repeat, high-volume output over the life of a programme.

UK-based injection moulding companies can offer practical advantages once a product enters steady-state manufacture, including closer collaboration with engineering teams, greater visibility over production and shorter lead times when changes or issues arise.

When assessing suppliers, it’s worth looking beyond initial tooling and early production, and considering how each company supports long-term manufacturing.

Goodfish is a leading UK plastic injection moulding company, trusted by manufacturers across automotive, electrical and defence sectors to deliver high-volume, business-critical components.

From working with thousands of client stakeholders over the last 15 years, we’ve gathered a deep understanding of

• what purchasing teams and engineering teams need from an injection moulding manufacturer
• the ways suppliers can fall short, and
• what a successful customer-supplier relationship is built on.

To help you make the right choice, this post dives into the key criteria to weigh up different injection moulding service providers in the UK. We’ll also walk through how we’ve addressed each of these criteria at Goodfish.

After that, we’ll include a list some of the other top plastic injection moulders in the UK we know of.

Before looking at how Goodfish meets these requirements, it’s worth outlining the key criteria manufacturers should use when comparing UK injection moulding companies.

Contents

• 4 criteria to consider when comparing injection moulding suppliers
• Who are Goodfish Group?
• How Goodfish meets the 4 key selection criteria
• 10 other UK-based plastic injection moulding companies

 

4 criteria to consider when comparing injection moulding suppliers

Factor 1: Does the supplier consistently deliver high-quality injection moulded parts at competitive prices?

Factor 2: Are they responsive and reliable in meeting customer requests?

Factor 3: Do they have the expertise and equipment to meet your production requirements?

Factor 4: Is the supplier large enough to handle your business needs?

 

Who are Goodfish Group?

Founded in 2010, Goodfish Group is the UK’s leading privately-owned contract manufacturer of plastic components and composite components.

We produce custom plastic injection moulded components from engineering-grade materials, and support projects from tool design through to full production. As a plastic components manufacturer, we’ve delivered more than 46 million parts for companies across the UK.

With expertise in plastic injection moulding, plastic extrusion as well as assembly and finishing services, Goodfish can handle your manufacturing project from concept to distribution.

In the last 15 years, we’ve delivered 10,000+ projects from our 4 UK sites in Cannock, Worcester, St Asaph and Flint. We’ve served 1000+ clients across 10+ industries including automotive, electronics, construction and HVAC, growing annual turnover from £800,000 in 2010 to £25 million today, backed by 155 expert team members.

 

The key Goodfish injection moulding numbers

• 3 UK injection moulding factories
• 47 injection moulding machines
• 27 manufacturing robots
• Produced 46 million injection moulded parts
• Operate 24 hours 5 days per week
• Completed 10,000+ projects
• Trusted by 1000+ clients 

 

Goodfish injection moulding factories

In the injection moulding side of the business, we operate 3 UK sites: Goodfish Cannock, Goodfish Powell & Harber and Goodfish North West. (Our fourth site, Goodfish Flint, specialises in plastic extrusion.)

All sites are certified to ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 45001 (Health and Safety). Goodfish Powell & Harber is also certified to IATF 16949.

 

Goodfish Cannock

Goodfish Cannock is the Group HQ, a 20,000 sq. ft facility in Staffordshire, West Midlands. The site is home to 12 injection moulding machines with clamp force from 50T to 1000T. The factory also provides warehousing, secondary operations and assembly capabilities.

Goodfish Powell & Harber

Goodfish Powell & Harber is based in a 20,000 sq. ft facility in Worcester. The site houses 16 plastic injection moulding machines with clamp force ranging from 35T to 270T and also provides secondary operations, including printing and assembly.

 

Goodfish North West

Goodfish North West in St Asaph, Wales, operates from a 138,651 sq. ft facility, providing plastic injection moulding services, fabrication and assembly services as well as plastic extrusion, printing and warehousing.

How Goodfish meets the 4 key selection criteria

Now, let’s review how Goodfish has addressed each of the 4 factors

Factor 1: Do Goodfish consistently deliver high-quality components at competitive prices?

Factor 2: Are Goodfish responsive and reliable in meeting customer requests?

Factor 3: Do Goodfish have the expertise and equipment to meet your precise production requirements?

Factor 4: Are Goodfish large enough to handle your business needs? Are they financially stable?

1. We’ve adopted sophisticated systems and processes to maintain exceptional quality and competitive pricing

How we deliver competitively priced components

Goodfish is one of the most competitive injection moulding suppliers in the UK market. Let’s explore some of the detail on how we’re able to offer you optimal pricing.

Passing economies of scale onto our customers

With Goodfish Group activities reaching a run-rate of £25 million annual revenue from 4 UK sites, we’re able to pass on the benefits of scale to our customers.

For instance, with huge purchasing volumes, we’ve been able to increase our purchasing power and drive down material supply costs. That has meant one thing: we pass those savings into more competitive prices for customers.

 

Efficient use of our workforce

At Goodfish, we’ve designed our operational plans to reduce labour requirements. For example:

• We use collaborative robots to perform tasks to minimise manual labour time
• We design our production cycles so that fewer operatives are needed to safely manage multiple machines concurrently.

A highly streamlined, skilled workforce means we can offer low unit prices to our customers and still maintain component quality and industry-leading lead times. 

 

Optimising energy usage 24/7

We work with energy buying consultants to implement energy hedging strategies and pooled purchases. That means we’ve been able to shield Goodfish from price spikes and make energy costs more predictable, passing energy savings onto our customers for the past 12+ years.

In 2022, we also invested in energy monitoring technology to track the energy usage of all our injection moulding machines. At Goodfish, project unit prices only reflect the energy used by machines in your injection moulding project. Most of our competitors don’t offer this. In fact, we’ve seen some competitors increase their unit prices by up to 30%, in part because they don’t have energy monitoring systems in place.

 

How we maintain exceptional quality 

Let’s now look at how Goodfish is committed to delivering quality injection moulding projects.

 

Starting with the end in mind

The New Product Introduction (NPI) team begin every project by aligning with clients on exactly how the component is going to be used.

That way we can determine the ideal material for the injection moulding tool and the injection moulded parts, as well as decide the tool’s designed-in functions. This improves quality outcomes – but also cuts manufacturing cycle times and lead times.

The Goodfish team then conducts a detailed product design analysis (Design For Manufacturability) to make sure every plastic component meets project requirements.

We take great pride in this. By focusing on the end goal throughout, we direct each stage of the project to achieve the best possible outcome.

 

Quality toolmaking & maintenance

With extensive expertise in tool manufacture, we understand that achieving quality requires high-quality tooling designed for high- or low-volume production. That’s why we never cut corners on tool design and manufacture – it only leads to poor quality and higher costs.

To ensure our customers’ tools are in top condition for daily use, we provide a managed Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) process to ensure long life and optimal service.

We call this process Tool Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (Tool MRO) and it’s a crucial aspect of our commitment to the highest level of customer service. These services mean tools perform at their best for the long term, giving clients peace of mind and high-quality components.

 

Quality control processes

Goodfish stands out among UK injection moulding companies for its quality-control processes. Each of our sites has a dedicated quality lab run by skilled technicians and led by a site leader – together they work closely with our NPI and automation engineers to maintain quality standards across new tooling projects and manufacturing.

The Goodfish team follows Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) processes to make sure every part we manufacture meets the most stringent standards. That includes providing customers with

• a process flow diagram
• qualified laboratory documentation, and
• a PPAP submission.

In addition, they use a range of metrology technology to accurately measure and quality-check parts. Our 3D CMM, a Hexagon Metrology Global S Blue, provides quality standards far superior to traditional measurement methods:

• Unparalleled resolution at any point on your component – which means we can detect component details smaller than a speck of dust.
• Fast throughput up to 600,000 measurement points per second – which means rapid turnaround

The quality management team also quality-check tools and components using non-contact measurement, surface measurement, microscopic inspection and manual gauges.

 

Industry-standard quality control certifications

ISO and IATF accreditations demonstrate how consistently we deliver products to exceptional standards (as well as apply environmentally responsible practices and implement safe working conditions).

These independent industry certifications include:

• IATF 16949:2016 for automotive quality management
• ISO 9001:2015 for quality management
• ISO 14001 for environmental management
• ISO 45001 for health and safety

 

2. We provide prompt, responsive, reliable service

Delivering your components in days, not weeks

Many customers come to us after experiencing long lead times with their previous injection moulding suppliers. In contrast, we pride ourselves on offering customers faster delivery – thanks to deep industry expertise, high production capacity and efficient processes.

For example, we can typically start producing your new components in under 5 days once your new tool is ready or you’ve transferred your existing tool to us.

We recently began supplying components to a leading specialist in thermal management products. After they delivered their tools to our site in Cannock, we were producing their components within 4 days.

In another client example, one of the UK’s leading brands in pet safety products faced 12-week production lead times with their former moulder. After transferring their injection moulding production to us, they now get new 3-week turnaround times. They also save 100s of labour hours in outsourcing their assembly and packing to us too.

Giving you 24/7 project cycle visibility 

We launched the new Goodfish customer portal in 2024 to give our customers real-time visibility into their injection moulding projects within a seamless, responsive digital platform.

With just a few clicks you can track:

• your order quantities
• your production start time
• your delivery dates
• any potential delays, with full transparency

The portal also gives customers access to stock levels, so if you want to confirm inventory or place a larger order than usual, you only have to log in – no unnecessary delays from calling or emails.

This is just another example of how we’re committed to being an agile and dependable supplier.

 

Responding to project inquiries within 2 hours & RFQs within 7 days

At Goodfish, we’re committed to prompt response times. Clients regularly tell us how quickly we move to help them make faster commercial decisions: we get back to customer inquiries within 2 hours and respond to RFQs in under 7 days.

By equipping our teams with the right resources – including cloud-based systems for accessing customer and project info wherever they are – we provide a highly responsive, dependable service, project after project.

 

3. We have deep industry expertise backed by a comprehensive portfolio of injection moulding machines

Decades of injection moulding experience

From account management to engineering, production to quality control, Goodfish customers get access to a team with decades of injection moulding experience.

With the depth of knowledge to provide advice from concept to final production on product design, production processes, material appropriateness and tests, the Goodfish team is aligned on delivering the results you need.

 

Multi-sector & multi-capability expertise

Goodfish brings extensive experience across several plastic manufacturing activities to a wide range of sectors.

Unlike many injection moulding suppliers, our teams tackle different challenges every day, including managing requests for injection moulding, extrusion, tool design, tool transfer, 3D printing, assembly, and more.

When companies come to us pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in their industry – which happens regularly – the Goodfish team can respond in kind.

For instance, Bosch needed to produce a technically complex, high-spec engineered part that no one had ever made before in plastic. The Goodfish team drew on their wealth of cross-sector and cross-capability expertise to successfully innovate a creative solution.

 

A resilient workforce 

A shrinking talent pool, rising wages, and increased employment costs in the UK are making it harder for companies to maintain skilled manufacturing teams. Some of our customers have started outsourcing all their in-house manufacturing to us because they can’t hire the right personnel.

To make sure our customers can count on us for years to come, we’ve built a resilient and skilled workforce.

• Recruiting exceptional hires
  • We attract first-rate personnel from graduate level through to senior management – the Goodfish brand is recognised in the recruitment market as one of the leading plastic manufacturing companies to work for.
• Investing in collaborative robots
  • We’ve trained the Goodfish production teams to streamline production processes with automation, giving them back the time to focus on highly skilled tasks.

Comprehensive portfolio of machinery

Finally, across our 4 UK locations, we’re equipped with a portfolio of sophisticated, energy-efficient injection moulding machines from 35 tonnes to 1000 tonnes. Many are backed by specialist robots and ancillary equipment to support the latest plastic moulding procedures.

For our customers, the Goodfish machine portfolio means:

• quicker tool changes
• more consistent quality and performance
• more efficient production
• lower unit prices

You’ll find our machine portfolio here. These machines can deliver:

• high-volume production
• highly technical, precision-engineered components as small as 5g and as large as 4kg
• components in engineering-grade materials

 

Moulding Machines at Goodfish Cannock 

 

Moulding Machines at Goodfish Powell & Harber, Worcester

 

Moulding Machines at Goodfish St Asaph

As UK-based injection moulders, we help customers reduce freight costs, shorten lead times and simplify communication. Many of our customers now rely on Goodfish as their long-term plastic parts supplier.

4. We’re a fast-growing, financially resilient business supporting a variety of clients across a range of industries

Our growth history & trajectory mean financial stability

Many injection moulding companies are stagnating or shrinking. But at Goodfish, we’ve grown fast and we don’t intend to stop.

Back in 2010, Goodfish started out from a single 20,000 sq. ft. site in Cannock, Staffordshire. Today, we operate from a total of 290,000 sq. ft. across 4 sites in:

• Cannock – opened in 2010
• Worcester – acquired in 2015
• St. Asaph (North Wales) – acquired in 2020
• Flint (North Wales) – acquired in 2024

Over the same period, Goodfish has increased:

• sales from £800k to over £15M
• employee numbers from 33 to 155

Our performance over the last 15 years serves as a rock-solid foundation for our future growth plans – and for reliable, continued service to new and existing customers.

Looking to the future, we only plan to continue expanding:

• We’re on track to reach £25m of sales in 2025.
• By 2030 we aim to hit £50m of sales by further expanding our UK presence and extending our Eurozone reach.

As more and more UK injection moulders have unfortunately headed towards administration, Goodfish’s past performance and growth trajectory means peace of mind for customers: we’ll always be able to meet project requests and help you get plastic parts made reliably, even if wider market demand weakens.

Our financial resilience is also down to:

• Serving multiple sectors
  We’ve seen some narrow-focused suppliers lose up to 75% of their sales when an industry dips. At Goodfish we’re not exposed like that.
• Offering a range of capabilities and services besides injection moulding
  At Goodfish, we can count on multiple revenue streams to stay stable and profitable, including 32 extrusion lines serving completely different product markets.

 

Multiple manufacturing sites means operational stability

With 4 strategically located sites across the UK, we’re operationally resilient. Partnering with a single-site operation carries inherent risks. If there’s an emergency – a strike, flood, or fire – your production can stop immediately.

With Goodfish’s multi-site setup, you get genuine reassurance. Your production can continue seamlessly even if one of our locations faces an issue, because we can redistribute work across facilities. That way we safeguard your supply chain and help you avoid costly downtime.

Together our financial and operational stability set Goodfish apart from much of the competition.

We’re an exceptionally reliable partner, ready to deliver your next injection moulding project.

If you’re interested in working with us to deliver your next plastic injection moulding project, speak to an expert today.

Goodfish has grown into one of the most trusted plastic moulding companies in the UK. As a full-service injection moulding specialist, we combine technical expertise, automation and rigorous quality control to deliver components on time and to specification.

10 other UK-based plastic injection moulding companies

Now we’re going to share 10 other suppliers we’ve heard come up over the years, so you can weigh up other options.

2. Tex Plastics

Year founded: 1976

Employees: 227

UK sites: 2 – Derby, Barnstaple

Tex Plastics is a UK-based plastic injection moulding company offering services from design to high-volume production.

 

3. Omega Plastics

Year founded: 1998

Employees: 163

UK sites: 3 – Gateshead, Washington & Blyth

Omega Plastics Group is a specialist in plastic injection moulding in the UK, providing rapid prototyping, precision tooling, and manufacturing solutions.

 

4. Cameron-Price

Year founded: 1960

Employees: 49

UK sites: 1 – Birmingham

Cameron-Price is a Birmingham-based plastic injection moulding company with nearly six decades of experience.

 

5. Patterson & Rothwell

Year founded: 1982

Employees: 160

UK sites: 1 – Oldham

Patterson & Rothwell is a plastic injection moulding company based in Oldham. They offer injection moulding and toolmaking. Their services include product design, tool design, toolmaking, and production.

 

6. Rutland Plastics

Year founded: 1956

Employees: 139

UK sites: 1 – Oakham

Rutland Plastics is an Oakham-based plastic injection moulding company with over 65 years of experience. They offer a full range of services from design and prototyping to mould making and injection moulding.

 

7. Labone Castleside

Year founded: 1965

Employees: 105

UK sites: 1 – Castleside

Labone Castleside in County Durham specialises in precision plastic injection moulding and assembly. They offer services from design and development to production and assembly.

 

8. Coba Automotive

Year founded: 1966

Employees: 137

UK sites: 1 – Leicester

Coba Automotive is a Leicester-based company specialising in the design and manufacture of automotive components. They offer a range of services including injection moulding, extrusion, and assembly, serving major automotive manufacturers.

 

9. Stechford Mouldings

Year founded: 1934

Employees: 90

UK sites: 1 – Birmingham

Stechford Mouldings is a Birmingham-based plastic injection moulding company with decades of experience. They specialise in producing high-quality plastic components for various industries, offering services from design and development to production and assembly.

 

10. ENL Group

Year founded: 1958

Employees: 174

UK sites: 1 – Portsmouth

ENL Group is a Portsmouth-based company specialising in plastic injection moulding and assembly services. They offer solutions from design and prototyping to production and assembly.

 

11. Fern Plastic Products

Year founded: 1959

Employees: 78

UK sites: 1 – Wolverhampton

Fern Plastic Products is a Wolverhampton-based company specialising in plastic injection moulding and toolmaking, offering a range of services including design, prototyping, and production.

If you’re interested in working with us to deliver your next plastic injection moulding project, speak to one of expert team today.

 

Finding a reliable precision injection moulding supplier is not as simple as it sounds. Many claim to produce accurate parts but often fall short, which leads to delays, wasted budgets and components that don’t meet specification.

If you work in the medical or automotive sector you will already know how critical accuracy is. Even a small deviation can disrupt an entire project and affect both safety and performance.

This article explains what precision injection moulding means, the common pitfalls with suppliers, and how you can identify a partner who genuinely delivers. It also sets out the key questions to ask before you commit.

What is Precision Injection Moulding?

Precision injection moulding produces plastic components to very tight tolerances. Standard moulding allows some variation in size, but precision moulding demands consistency at every run.

Achieving this requires accurate tooling, suitable materials, stable processing and detailed measurement. If any of these are neglected, the result can be parts that fail to fit, create weak points or disrupt production.

At Goodfish, we can work to tolerances as fine as ±0.01 mm when required. We manage the full process from tool design through to validation so customers can be sure their parts meet specification.

Getting the tooling right

Precision moulding starts with accurate tooling. Precision moulders need to design client moulds precisely, sometimes requiring tolerances as tight as ±0.01 mm. Suppliers who cut corners on tooling or neglect mould maintenance will quickly see inaccuracies in parts. This usually leads to rejects, downtime and extra costs.

Experienced suppliers also match tooling precisely to their injection moulding machines. If the tool is too large for the machine it can cause material degradation or inconsistent parts.

Choosing and handling materials carefully

Precision moulding depends on selecting the right plastic because every material behaves differently under heat or pressure.

Plastics like PEEK, polycarbonate or ABS need careful handling to avoid issues like shrinkage or warping. If a supplier overlooks these factors, parts may seem fine initially but cause problems later in production or use, such as failing to fit into an assembly or weakening under load.

Good suppliers carefully recommend materials suitable for each application, like using UV-stabilised polypropylene for outdoor parts or glass-filled nylon where extra strength is needed, rather than moulding whatever customers initially request.

Controlling the moulding process

Accurate parts depend on tightly controlled injection moulding machines. Reliable suppliers use real-time monitoring to keep pressures, temperatures and cycle times stable throughout production. Some systems alert operators when settings drift, helping avoid defects before they develop. A stable process window is key, especially in high-volume runs, as it keeps output consistent even when ambient conditions vary across shifts.

Checking every detail carefully

Genuine precision moulding suppliers use accurate measuring equipment to check every detail because visual checks alone are not enough. Equipment like Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) or laser scanners confirm if every part meets the correct tolerances. Without these checks customers cannot be certain they are receiving truly precise components. Advanced 3D laser scanning lets suppliers check dimensions quickly anywhere on a component. This technology helps suppliers verify precision clearly even on features not originally measured.

---

Having problems with part accuracy or quality?

Goodfish helps you meet tight tolerances with real precision injection moulding and proven measurement data. Request a call back today.

---

Common Problems with Precision Injection Moulding Suppliers

Many suppliers promote precision moulding but do not maintain the controls needed to achieve it. The most common problems include:

Failing to produce parts on specification

Some suppliers promise accuracy but cannot deliver it consistently. Even small measurement errors can hold up production or cause defects that only appear later. This is especially damaging in medical and automotive applications.

Recommending the wrong plastic materials

Inexperienced suppliers sometimes recommend plastics that shrink, warp or crack when used in real conditions. The mistake is often only spotted once the customer has already invested in a production run.

Lack of measurement data and quality checks

Without data from proper inspection equipment, customers have no proof that parts meet specification. Visual checks are not enough to confirm accuracy, which means problems are often only discovered once parts are in use.

Scaling up production

Some suppliers manage acceptable results at low volumes but lose control once production increases. What looks reliable in a trial batch may fail when scaled, leading to rejected parts and higher costs.

Tooling transfer issues

Switching suppliers without a clear validation plan often creates delays. Poorly managed transfers can set projects back significantly.

Being aware of these common supplier problems will help you choose more wisely. The next section will explain exactly what to look for when choosing a supplier who can genuinely deliver precision injection moulding.

How to Identify a Reliable Supplier

Choosing a reliable partner means looking beyond price lists and machinery counts.

Tooling expertise and early input

Start with tooling expertise. Accurate tooling is the foundation of precision moulding. At Goodfish, our NPI team review designs early and offer clear guidance on how to make parts consistent and easier to mould.

Material guidance based on end use

A good supplier explains which plastics suit the part’s design and end use. At Goodfish, we match materials to the conditions the part will face, whether that’s strength, heat, UV exposure or another factor.

Process control across long production runs

Consistency depends on stable machine settings. We monitor pressures and temperatures in real time to keep every run within specification. This stability protects against variation across shifts and batches.

Measurement, metrology and risk protection

Reliable suppliers back up their claims with data. Our quality teams use CMM and laser scanning to confirm dimensions against CAD and share the results so customers move through validation with confidence.

Risk protection

With multiple sites in the UK, we can continue production even if one facility faces disruption. Customers also check our financial stability before placing work and we are open in supporting those reviews.

These are the kind of checks that help you find a supplier who actually delivers precision parts. In the next section we’ll cover what to ask suppliers before making your final decision.

Key Questions to Ask Your Injection Moulding Supplier

The right questions quickly reveal if a supplier can genuinely deliver precision parts.

How do you measure and confirm part tolerances?

Start by asking how they measure and confirm part tolerances. A capable supplier should explain their inspection process clearly and provide examples of measurement reports. At Goodfish, we use CMM and laser scanning to verify dimensions and supply the data to customers.

Do you have experience in our sector?

Next check if the supplier has experience in your specific industry. Precision moulding requirements vary between industries. We support customers across automotive, electronics and medical and use that knowledge to give practical advice from the start.

How do you manage production risk and disruption?

It can also help to understand how the supplier is set up to avoid disruption. Resilient suppliers have more than one production site and systems in place to avoid disruption. Goodfish runs moulding across three UK locations, which gives flexibility and continuity.

What happens if something goes wrong?

It’s also important to ask how they handle issues if something goes wrong during production. Even strong suppliers encounter issues, but the response matters. At Goodfish, live monitoring helps us spot problems early and our teams act quickly to fix them and explain what was done.

Are your processes certified to recognised standards?

Another useful question is whether the supplier’s quality processes are audited or certified. Look for recognised certifications that prove quality is managed consistently. Goodfish holds ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 as well as IATF 16949 for automotive.

What could be challenging about this project?

Finally ask suppliers what they think might be difficult or challenging about your precision project. An honest supplier highlights risks early and suggests ways to overcome them. At Goodfish, we point out where tool design, geometry or material choice could cause variation and work with customers to resolve it.

Asking these questions makes it easier to spot a reliable supplier who genuinely delivers precision moulded parts. In the next section we’ll cover why leading companies choose Goodfish as their precision injection moulding partner.

Why manufacturers choose Goodfish for precision injection moulding

“The team at Cannock are always responsive and on all required occasions send a representative within 2 hours. This is above and beyond the minimum expectations for this type of supply chain and its requirements.”
Magna, Automotive.

Manufacturers choose Goodfish because we provide UK-based moulding across three sites, giving shorter lead times and supply chain resilience. Our early input on part design and tooling improves stability and reduces issues later.

We maintain stable conditions during long production runs through real-time monitoring, and our inspection teams verify accuracy with CMM and laser scanning. We also support customers by adapting existing tools, communicating openly about risks and sharing data that proves quality.

Our track record across automotive, medical and electronics demonstrates that approach in practice.

Next Steps: Ensuring Your Supplier Delivers

Choosing a precision injection moulding supplier becomes much easier when you focus on evidence rather than promises. Visit their facility, speak with their technical teams and ask to see inspection reports. A supplier who genuinely understands precision moulding will be able to demonstrate how they achieve it.

If you would like to discuss your project or see how Goodfish can support your requirements, please get in touch.

It’s not just about manufacturing quality plastic products. Choosing the right injection moulding service affects your whole supply chain: whether that’s meeting distribution agreements, keeping costs within budget forecasts or maintaining brand reputation.

Pick the wrong one and, worst-case scenario, you’ll find yourself scrambling for an alternative service to take over in an emergency.

Even if it never gets that far, an underperforming supplier will hold you back with delays, quality issues and cost increases.

The right injection moulding partner will manage the process end to end, from handling RFQs and tooling through to production, quality checks and delivery.

You’ll get consistently quality parts, produced cost-competitively and headache-free.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the key factors to consider when choosing an injection moulding service provider.

 

If you’re looking for a UK-based plastic injection moulding service with fast lead times, competitive pricing and rigorous quality control, request a quote today.

Understanding The Key Factors in Choosing a Plastic Injection Moulding Service

When weighing up your options, you should be prioritising the factors that impact risk, production efficiency and cost.

In our experience, you should be weighing up these 6 factors, and the first 4 should be your immediate priority:

1. Manufacturing capabilities
2. Production lead times, reliability & scale
3. Tool making expertise
4. Quality control
5. Financial stability
6. Industry experience

 

1. Manufacturing capabilities

“Can they actually produce the parts I need?”

Check the service provider has the injection moulding expertise, equipment, technical capabilities and materials availability to manufacture your components.

 

Technical Expertise & Secondary Operations

Does the injection moulder have expertise in the moulding technique your part design requires?

 

Precision moulding

If you need tight tolerances and repeatability, you’ll need a precision moulder to keep dimensions and structural integrity consistent repeatably at high volumes.

At Goodfish, we can mould high-precision parts to tolerances as low as +/- 0.007mm with impressive part-to-part repeatability.

We commonly perform precision moulding for clients in automotive, medical, and heating & water, where even minor production changes will affect performance, safety and regulatory compliance. We can apply the same rigour for other sector applications.

 

Overmoulding

If your product requires grip, cushioning or multi-material functionality you’ll need a service provider that can offer overmoulding.

At Goodfish, we’ve delivered overmoulding projects for many clients, producing parts including soft-touch handles or rubberised grips.

 

Insert Moulding

If your product needs an embedded component, you’ll need a manufacturer with insert moulding expertise.

We regularly insert-mould components across a wide range of SKUs and industries – for example, steering wheel columns for automotive, heating valves for HVAC and electrical enclosures for electronics firms.

 

Secondary operations

Sometimes purchasing and engineering teams don’t take advantage of outsourcing secondary operations to their injection moulder.

But bundling them with your injection moulding can reduce cost, cut demand for in-house resource and simplify your supply chain.

At Goodfish we offer a comprehensive range of secondary operations, including:

• Surface finishing, such as sanding, polishing, tumbling and sand blasting
• Pad printing
• Screen printing
• Hot foil stamping
• Laser marking
• Threaded inserts
• Ultrasonic welding
• Heat staking
• Spin welding

 

Injection moulding machines

The key here is confirming they have injection moulding machines that can produce your part sizes. The typical blocker you’ll face is when injection moulders don’t have equipment large enough to manufacture bigger components.

Some suppliers operate fleets of machines covering a wide range of clamping forces, allowing them to produce both small precision parts and large structural components. At Goodfish, this includes machines from 35 to 1000 tonnes.

Our machines are compatible with

• single-cavity mould tools e.g. for when you’re manufacturing those larger components
• multi-cavity mould tools e.g. for high production volumes at lower per-unit costs.

 

Materials

Can the service provider mould parts with the materials and surface finishes your design needs?

Goodfish can injection mould any thermoplastic, from engineering-grade plastics such as carbon fibre-filled or glass-filled nylon, ABS, PMMA, and other engineering-grade polymers, to standard PVC or polypropylene.

We regularly mould engineering-grades thermoplastics for clients requiring sophisticated engineering – automotive, aerospace and HVAC.

Equally, if sustainability is a key part of your product design, we frequently manufacture components from recycled plastics.

 

Minimum volumes

Finally, confirm your project order volume aligns with the supplier’s MOQs.

As a high-volume injection moulding supplier, Goodfish injection moulding MOQs are typically 10,000 units per project. We may reduce our MOQ to 5000 units where the project is part of a longer series of agreed projects – this is something you can confirm on a call with one of our key accounts directors.

 

Questions to ask suppliers:

• Can you produce parts at the size and weight we require?
• Do you have expertise in the moulding technique my design needs?
• Can you provide secondary operations in-house or will they be outsourced?

2. Production lead times, reliability & scale

“Will they deliver on time?”

Look for a proven track record. Even if the service provider offers the capabilities you need for your part design, long lead times and low capacity can mean supply chain disruption and unexpected costs.

This can be a particular issue when you’re sending your project outside the UK (aka offshoring).

 

Lead times & operational capacity

Our lead times are competitively low: 4 weeks from tool delivery.

At a premium, we can also offer expedited production for urgent orders. For example, we recently manufactured components for a thermal management product company within 4 days from tool delivery.

We run our injection moulding operations from 3 UK sites in Staffordshire, Worcester and North Wales, typically running 100 live injection moulding projects at once. With 57 moulding machines housed in nearly 180,000 sq ft capacity, the sites run 24/5 operations totalling 6000+ production hours per year.

With extensive UK-based production capacity, Goodfish has been producing moulded parts with fast turnaround times for 1000+ clients over the past 15+ years.

If you’re looking for a UK-based plastic injection moulding company with fast lead times, competitive pricing and rigorous quality control, request a quote today.

3. Tool making expertise

“Can they design and maintain high-quality, long-lasting moulds?”

For high-volume, multi-year injection moulding projects, you need a service provider that deeply understands high-quality tooling.

Cutting corners with a poorly designed tool just leads to part defects and inefficiencies – and ultimately higher production costs.

 

Toolmaking heritage

Good suppliers should be able to show strong tooling expertise, whether that’s through in-house knowledge or long-standing partnerships. At Goodfish, this expertise is built into our operations from the ground up.

 

Tool transfer & new tools

If you’re transferring an existing tool to a service provider, make sure the supplier has processes in place to assess its production readiness before manufacturing begins. Poorly maintained or damaged tools just end up producing inconsistent, low-quality parts.

At Goodfish the New Product Introduction (NPI) team assesses a transfer tool rigorously for quality and condition before approving it for production.

For new tools, the NPI team conducts a detailed Design for Manufacturing (DFM) analysis to match the product design with the tool design (including, for example, mould cavity tolerances and shrink rate). They will consult with clients on recommended changes to tool design and product design to optimise for defect-free, repeatable manufacturing.

They then work closely with our toolmakers to make sure the tool will deliver production outcomes for the long-term.

 

Tooling manufacturing & lead times

You need to account for tool manufacturing lead times in your project timelines – these will depend on the complexity of your product design and where your tool is manufactured. If you’d like a clearer idea of what drives tooling investment, our article on injection moulding tooling costs explains the typical factors that influence price.

Standard production tools in tool steel or carbon steel typically take 8–10 weeks – that includes design finalisation, steel cutting and final validation.

That said, automotive tooling lead times can be as much as 9 months due to regulatory checks, multiple design iterations and tool trials.

Shorter-lasting aluminium tools used for mid-volume production can typically be ready in 6 weeks.

 

Tool maintenance

For high-volume, long-term injection moulding projects, tool maintenance is critical. It’s not unusual for well-manufactured moulding tools to last 1,000,000 shots.

At Goodfish, we provide a Tooling Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) process to keep client tools in peak condition, reducing product defects and extending tool lifespan.

In fact, many of our clients’ tools are over 15 years old, and some even 40 years old, still manufacturing defect-free today.

 

If you’re looking for a UK-based plastic injection moulding service with fast lead times, competitive pricing and rigorous quality control, request a quote today.

 

4. Quality control

“Will the parts be consistent?”

Make sure the service provider has dedicated quality control teams to run pre-production and in-production checks.

At Goodfish, quality control is embedded at each stage of manufacturing. Our NPI team and Quality Control teams play crucial roles in delivering successful projects.

 

Design for Manufacturing (DFM) analysis

The NPI team provides early-stage Design for Manufacturing (DFM) feedback to ensure manufacturability before production begins. The team will also provide design optimisation suggestions to reduce cost, such as reducing wall thickness or opting for more cost-effective materials.

 

In-production metrology & inspection

 

We stand out among UK injection moulding companies for our metrology capabilities (indeed, some providers outsource their metrology to us).

Our 3 injection moulding sites are home to a dedicated quality lab run by skilled technicians and a range of metrology technology, working closely with the NPI teams and automation engineers to maintain quality standards.

With a 3D laser-scanning Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) – the Hexagon Metrology Global S Blue – we provide quality control far superior to traditional measurement methods, capable of detecting details as small as a red blood cell.

Additional metrology capabilities include:

• Non-contact measurement
• Surface measurement
• Microscopic inspection
• Manual metrology

 

PPAP & Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA)

When choosing an injection moulding service, it’s important to understand how suppliers manage quality control and documentation. Many industries require PPAP submissions, capability studies and dimensional reports before production starts.

At Goodfish, we provide the full range of documentation and validation checks our customers need, including PPAP, ISIR, IMDS and MSA. This ensures our processes meet the strictest requirements for automotive, medical and other technical sectors.

 

Goodfish quality certifications

 

 

 

5. Financial stability

“Will they be around long enough to support my production?”

Some buying teams ignore a supplier’s finances when a significantly a significantly lower price is quoted. But you should always run a credit check or look at the balance sheet trends because too-got-to-be-true prices can be the desperate last gasp of a supplier on the rocks.

In our experience a short-term cost benefit from an unstable service provider is not a risk worth taking: it usually leads to quality issues, price hikes or supply failure.

Goodfish stability 

Financial and operational stability set Goodfish apart from much of the competition. Our performance in the last 15 years is a rock-solid foundation for continued service to new and existing customers, despite global economic pressures.

Goodfish has grown from 1 injection moulding site of 20,000 sq. ft. in 2010 to 4 factories totalling 290,000 sq. ft today. Over the same period, our sales have increased from £800k to over £25m, and employee numbers from 33 to 155.

Goodfish is also not exposed to sector-specific pressure. Unlike suppliers with limited sector reach and narrow manufacturing capabilities, Goodfish has multiple revenue streams, providing various client sectors with a range of services besides injection moulding, such as secondary operations and plastic extrusion services, with 32 plastic extrusion lines serving different markets.

 

Growth trajectory

In 2025, we’re on track to reach £25m of sales.

By 2030 we forecast hitting £50m of sales by growing our UK presence as well as expanding our Eurozone reach via Goodfish EU in Slovakia.

 

6. Industry experience

“Do they understand my sector’s needs?”

Check the service provider has successfully delivered projects for companies in your industry.

• Automotive
• Construction
• Electrical
• Medical
• Heating & HVAC
• Point of Sale
• Defence & Security
• Traffic Management
• View full list

Why Goodfish is the Right Plastic Injection Moulding Service for Your Next Project

‎Choosing the right injection moulding partner is about more than just machines or processes. You need confidence that your supplier can deliver consistent quality, meet deadlines and adapt the the needs of your project.

At Goodfish, we bring decades of manufacturing experience, backed by certified quality systems and the scale to handle both complex and high-volume work. With in-house design support, advanced inspection labs and round the clock production across our UK sites, we give our customers the assurance that every part will be delivered on time and to specification.

Next steps

If you’re looking for a UK-based plastic injection moulding service with fast lead times, competitive pricing and rigorous quality control, request a quote today.

 

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing has revolutionised the world of additive manufacturing since its invention in the 1980s. This comprehensive guide will explore the intricacies of SLA technology, its applications, advantages, and future prospects.

What is Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing?

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing is a cutting-edge additive manufacturing process that uses light-activated polymerisation to create three-dimensional objects from liquid resin. This technology, invented by Charles Hull in 1983, has become one of the most popular and versatile 3D printing methods available today.

How Does SLA 3D Printing Work?

The SLA 3D printing process involves the following steps:

1. A vat is filled with liquid photopolymer resin.
2. An ultraviolet laser beam traces the first layer of the object on the surface of the liquid resin.
3. The resin exposed to the laser quickly cures and solidifies.
4. The build platform lowers slightly, allowing a new layer of liquid resin to cover the surface.
5. The process repeats, building the object layer by layer.
6. Once complete, the object is raised out of the vat, and excess resin is drained.

This layer-by-layer approach allows for the creation of highly detailed and accurate parts, making SLA 3D printing ideal for a wide range of applications.

Advantages of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing offers several significant advantages over other 3D printing technologies:

1. High Resolution: SLA printers can produce parts with extremely fine details, with layer thicknesses as small as 25 microns.
2. Smooth Surface Finish: The liquid resin used in SLA printing results in parts with a smooth, almost injection-moulded appearance.
3. Accuracy: SLA 3D printing can achieve tight tolerances, making it suitable for precision engineering applications.
4. Material Versatility: A wide range of photopolymer resins are available, including clear, flexible, and castable materials.
5. Speed: For small, detailed parts, SLA can be faster than other 3D printing methods.
6. Isotropic Properties: SLA-printed parts have consistent mechanical properties in all directions.

These advantages make Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing an excellent choice for many industries and applications.

Applications of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing has found applications across various industries due to its versatility and high-quality output. Some key areas include:

1. Prototyping and Product Development

SLA 3D printing is widely used for rapid prototyping in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics. Its ability to produce highly detailed and accurate parts makes it ideal for testing form, fit, and function of new designs.

2. Dental Industry

The dental sector has embraced SLA 3D printing for creating precise dental models, surgical guides, and even custom aligners. The technology’s accuracy and biocompatible materials make it perfect for these applications.

3. Jewellery Making

Jewellers use SLA 3D printing to create intricate patterns and moulds for casting. The high resolution allows for the production of detailed and complex designs that would be challenging to achieve with traditional methods.

4. Medical and Healthcare

In the medical field, SLA 3D printing is used to create anatomical models for surgical planning, custom prosthetics, and hearing aid shells. The technology’s ability to work with biocompatible materials has opened up new possibilities in personalised healthcare.

5. Engineering and Manufacturing

SLA 3D printing is employed in creating functional prototypes, tooling, and even end-use parts in some cases. Its ability to produce strong, accurate parts makes it valuable in various engineering applications.

Materials Used in Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing

One of the key strengths of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing is the wide range of materials available. These photopolymer resins come in various formulations, each with specific properties suited to different applications:

1. Standard Resins: General-purpose materials suitable for a wide range of applications.
2. Clear Resins: Ideal for producing transparent parts or prototypes.
3. Tough Resins: Engineered to withstand higher stress and impact.
4. Flexible Resins: Simulate rubber-like materials for prototyping or end-use parts.
5. Castable Resins: Designed for investment casting, particularly useful in jewellery making.
6. Dental Resins: Biocompatible materials specifically formulated for dental applications.
7. High-Temperature Resins: Capable of withstanding higher temperatures, suitable for automotive or aerospace applications.

The continuous development of new materials is expanding the capabilities of SLA 3D printing, making it suitable for an ever-growing range of applications.

Challenges and Limitations of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing

While Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing offers many advantages, it’s important to be aware of its limitations:

1. Post-Processing Requirements: SLA-printed parts often require cleaning, support removal, and post-curing, which can be time-consuming.
2. Material Cost: Photopolymer resins can be more expensive than materials used in other 3D printing methods.
3. Build Size Limitations: Many SLA printers have smaller build volumes compared to other technologies.
4. UV Sensitivity: Some SLA-printed parts may degrade over time when exposed to UV light.
5. Safety Considerations: Working with liquid resins requires proper safety precautions, including the use of personal protective equipment.

Understanding these challenges is crucial for effectively implementing SLA 3D printing in various applications.

The Future of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing

As technology continues to advance, the future of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing looks promising. Several trends and developments are shaping its evolution:

1. Improved Materials: Ongoing research is focused on developing resins with enhanced mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and sustainability.
2. Larger Build Volumes: Manufacturers are working on SLA printers with larger build areas, expanding the technology’s capabilities.
3. Faster Print Speeds: Innovations in light engines and resin formulations are leading to faster print times without compromising quality.
4. Integration with Other Technologies: Combining SLA with other manufacturing processes is opening up new possibilities in hybrid manufacturing.
5. Advancements in Software: Improved slicing algorithms and support generation are making SLA printing more efficient and accessible.

These developments are likely to further expand the applications of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing across various industries.

Conclusion

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing has come a long way since its invention and continues to be a cornerstone of additive manufacturing. Its ability to produce high-resolution, accurate parts with smooth surface finishes makes it invaluable in prototyping, product development, and even some end-use applications.

As the technology evolves, with improvements in materials, hardware, and software, we can expect to see SLA 3D printing becoming even more versatile and accessible. Whether you’re in engineering, healthcare, jewellery making, or any other field that requires precision parts, understanding the capabilities and limitations of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing can help you leverage this powerful technology to its fullest potential.

By staying informed about the latest developments in SLA 3D printing, professionals and businesses can continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in additive manufacturing, driving innovation across industries.

In the rapidly advancing field of aerospace manufacturing, the importance of precision and safety cannot be overstated. As the industry continues to innovate, 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, has emerged as a transformative technology in the production of aircraft components. This article goes into how 3D printing enhances precision and safety in aerospace manufacturing, highlighting its capabilities and the advanced materials that contribute to better performance.

The aerospace industry has always been synonymous with cutting-edge technology, constantly striving to improve the performance, efficiency, and safety of aircraft. Traditional manufacturing methods, such as machining and casting, have served the sector well for decades. However, these conventional techniques often encounter limitations when it comes to producing complex geometries and lightweight structures that modern aircraft designs require. This is where 3D printing comes into play, revolutionising the approach to creating aerospace components.

3D printing offers unprecedented precision in part production, which is critical for ensuring the safety and optimal performance of aircraft components. This precision, combined with the ability to utilise advanced materials such as carbon fibre, positions additive manufacturing as a key player in the future of aerospace engineering.

The Role of Precision in Aerospace Manufacturing

Precision is a cornerstone of aerospace manufacturing, where even the slightest deviation can lead to catastrophic failures. Traditional manufacturing methods, such as CNC machining and casting, have long been the backbone of aerospace part production. However, these techniques often struggle with the demands of modern aircraft design. For instance, creating intricate internal structures that enhance performance while reducing weight is a significant challenge. Additionally, traditional methods can lead to substantial material waste and longer production times, which ultimately increase costs.

3D printing addresses these challenges effectively. By employing a layer-by-layer construction process, 3D printing allows for the creation of complex internal geometries that would be nearly impossible to achieve with traditional methods. This capability not only reduces material waste but also enables the production of parts with variable densities and structures, optimising performance. Furthermore, the rapid prototyping capabilities of 3D printing facilitate faster design iterations, allowing engineers to test and refine their designs more efficiently. In an industry where precision is paramount, the advantages offered by 3D printing are significant.

3D Printing Technologies in Aerospace

Several 3D printing technologies have found applications in the aerospace sector, each offering unique advantages. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is one of the most widely used methods, employing a laser to fuse powdered material into solid structures. This technique is particularly effective for creating complex geometries and is compatible with a variety of materials, including plastics and metals.

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is another common method, which involves extruding thermoplastic materials through a heated nozzle. This process is known for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular choice for prototyping and low-volume production.

Stereolithography (SLA) utilises a laser to cure liquid resin into solid plastic, allowing for high-resolution parts with smooth finishes. This technology is often used for producing detailed prototypes and components where surface quality is critical.

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is particularly noteworthy in the aerospace industry, as it enables the production of complex metal parts. This method uses a laser to fuse metal powders, resulting in components that exhibit excellent mechanical properties and can withstand the demanding conditions of aerospace applications.

Advanced Materials for Aerospace Applications

One of the standout features of 3D printing in aerospace is the ability to use advanced materials, particularly carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP). CFRP has gained popularity in the aerospace sector due to its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. When 3D printing with carbon fibre, manufacturers can create components that not only meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry but also significantly reduce weight compared to traditional metal parts. This reduction in weight is crucial, as it directly impacts fuel efficiency and overall aircraft performance.

In addition to carbon fibre, 3D printing is compatible with a range of other high-performance materials suitable for aerospace applications. Kevlar, known for its high tensile strength and impact resistance, can be used to create parts that require enhanced durability. Fibreglass is another material that offers a good balance of strength and weight, making it suitable for various aerospace components. High-temperature nylon and metal-infused plastics are also gaining traction, providing options for parts that must endure extreme conditions.

The versatility of these materials allows engineers to tailor solutions to specific aerospace requirements, ensuring that each component performs optimally under the conditions it will face in service.

Enhancing Safety Through 3D Printed Parts

The safety of aircraft is of utmost importance, and 3D printing plays a crucial role in enhancing the reliability of components. Numerous aerospace companies have successfully implemented 3D printed parts in critical applications. For example, fuel nozzles in jet engines have been redesigned using 3D printing, resulting in reduced part counts and improved efficiency. By consolidating multiple components into a single 3D printed part, manufacturers can minimise potential failure points, thereby enhancing overall safety.

Structural components in aircraft cabins, such as brackets and support structures, have also benefited from 3D printing. These parts can be designed to reduce weight without compromising strength, contributing to better fuel efficiency and performance. Additionally, custom tooling and jigs for aircraft assembly can be produced using 3D printing, improving precision and reducing production time.

The high precision offered by 3D printing contributes to improved part reliability in several ways. It allows for the consistent production of complex geometries that enhance structural integrity. Moreover, the ability to create internal structures can lead to improved strength while reducing weight. By minimising assembly requirements, 3D printing also reduces the number of potential points of failure, further enhancing safety.

Quality Control and Certification

Ensuring the quality of 3D printed aerospace parts is essential, given the critical nature of their applications. Rigorous quality control processes are implemented to ensure that these parts meet aerospace standards. This typically includes in-process monitoring during printing to track any deviations from specifications, as well as post-production inspections to verify the integrity of the finished components.

Material testing and certification are also vital steps in the quality assurance process. Aerospace manufacturers must adhere to strict industry standards and regulations to ensure that their products are safe and reliable. Non-destructive testing (NDT) plays a crucial role in validating the integrity of 3D printed parts. Techniques such as X-ray computed tomography, ultrasonic testing, thermography, and acoustic emission testing allow for thorough inspection of internal structures and detection of potential defects without damaging the parts.

Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency

One of the significant advantages of 3D printing is its potential for cost savings. By significantly reducing material waste compared to traditional subtractive manufacturing methods, 3D printing not only lowers production costs but also aligns with the aerospace industry’s growing focus on sustainability. The ability to produce parts on-demand further reduces inventory costs and minimises lead times.

Moreover, the rapid prototyping capabilities of 3D printing enable quicker design iterations. Engineers can produce prototypes in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods, allowing for more thorough testing and validation before full-scale production. This speed not only accelerates time-to-market for new components but also enhances the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process.

Future Trends in Aerospace 3D Printing

The field of aerospace 3D printing is continuously evolving, with ongoing research into new composite materials that offer enhanced properties. Innovations in metal printing technologies are also on the horizon, promising to expand the range of materials available for aerospace applications. Furthermore, advancements in multi-material printing capabilities could lead to the development of components that combine different materials, optimising performance for specific applications.

As the technology matures, there is potential for an increase in fully 3D printed major aircraft components. This could include wing structures, fuselage sections, and even engine components. The ability to produce these critical parts using 3D printing would not only streamline the manufacturing process but also allow for unprecedented design freedom.

Conclusion

3D printing has undeniably made a significant impact on precision and safety in aerospace manufacturing. The ability to produce complex, lightweight, and high-performance parts using advanced materials like carbon fibre has opened up new possibilities in aircraft design and production. As the technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even greater adoption of 3D printing in the aerospace industry. The combination of precision, material innovation, and design flexibility offered by additive manufacturing is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of aircraft production, driving improvements in performance, efficiency, and safety.

Electrical wires are essential components in our daily lives, powering homes, offices, and various devices. However, the process by which these wires are manufactured, particularly the protective coating that ensures their safety and functionality, is often overlooked. This article explores the electrical wire coating process, detailing the technology and engineering involved.

What is the Electrical Wire Coating Process?

The electrical wire coating process involves applying an insulating layer around the conductive metal core of an electrical wire. This coating is typically made from plastic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, or nylon. The primary purpose of this process is to provide electrical insulation, protecting users from electric shocks and preventing short circuits between adjacent wires.

The Extrusion Process: Key Steps in the Electrical Wire Coating

The application of plastic coating to electrical wires is achieved through a method known as extrusion. This process allows for the continuous and uniform application of insulating material onto the wire. The following are the key steps involved in this wire insulation process.

1. Preparation

The electrical wire coating process begins with two main components:

– Bare metal wire: Usually made of copper or aluminium, this forms the conductive core of the electrical wire.

– Plastic resin pellets: These small pellets of the chosen insulating material will be melted and applied to the wire.

2. Melting

The plastic resin pellets are fed into an extrusion machine, where they are heated to their melting point. The temperature varies depending on the specific plastic material being used, typically ranging from 150°C to 250°C.

3. Pushing and Coating

As the resin melts, it is pushed through a device called a crosshead using a feed screw. The bare wire enters the back of the crosshead, where a wire guide helps centre it. As the wire passes through, it picks up the molten plastic resin, effectively coating the wire.

4. Shaping

The coated wire then exits through a component called a coater die. This die controls the diameter and profile of the plastic coating. By adjusting the die, manufacturers can produce wires with different thicknesses of insulation to suit various applications.

5. Cooling

After exiting the die, the newly coated wire needs to be cooled quickly to solidify the plastic coating. This is typically achieved by passing the wire through a series of water troughs. The rapid cooling ensures that the coating maintains its shape and adheres properly to the wire.

Customisation in the Electrical Wire Coating Process

The extrusion process allows for significant customisation in wire production, enabling manufacturers to create wires suited for various applications and environments.

Thickness Variation

The thickness of the coating can be adjusted by changing the settings on the extrusion machine and the size of the coater die. Thicker coatings may be used for wires that require greater insulation or mechanical protection.

Colour Options

Different colourants can be added to the plastic resin to produce wires of various colours. This is not only for aesthetic purposes; colour coding is often used to identify different wires in complex electrical systems.

Material Properties

Different plastic materials can be used to achieve specific properties such as flexibility, temperature resistance, or UV protection. For example, wires designed for outdoor use may have coatings with added UV stabilisers to prevent degradation from sunlight exposure.

Benefits of the Electrical Wire Coating Process

The plastic coating applied through the electrical wire coating process serves several important purposes, contributing to the safety and reliability of electrical systems.

– Electrical Insulation: The primary function of the coating is to provide electrical insulation, preventing direct contact with the conductive metal core.

– Environmental Protection: The coating shields the wire from moisture, dust, and other environmental contaminants.

– Fire Prevention: Many wire coatings are designed with fire-resistant properties, helping to prevent sparks and arcing between wires.

– Heat Dissipation: Some coatings assist in dissipating heat build up in the wiring, which is particularly important in high-current applications.

– Mechanical Protection: The coating protects the wire from abrasions and other physical damage, maintaining the integrity of the wire.

Conclusion: The Importance of the Electrical Wire Coating Process

The electrical wire coating process is a vital aspect of modern manufacturing. Through the extrusion process, bare metal wires are transformed into safe, durable, and versatile electrical conductors. This coating not only protects users from electrical hazards but also extends the life of the wire and enables its use in a wide range of environments and applications.

Understanding this process helps us appreciate the engineering and technology behind the electrical wires we use daily. From power cords to complex wiring harnesses in vehicles and industrial machinery, coated electrical wires play a crucial role in our electrified world.