More Than Just a Smiling Face: Lessons from the Numatic "Made in the South West" Factory Tour

On the 12th February Made in the South West best practice factory tour was at Numatic International in Chard. We heard how this global icon has grown from a humble start in 1969 to employing 1250 people and turning over £225M.

Over 40 manufacturers heard how Numatic is more than just the home of the "Henry" vacuum—it’s a masterclass in British manufacturing excellence, vertical integration, and staying true to your roots.
Here’s a look at what we learned during our deep dive into the 34-acre site where innovation meets tradition, firstly at the top level

“We make better products in a better way”

The tour kicked off with a presentation on Numatic’s humble beginnings. It’s hard to believe that a company now producing over 5,000 units a day started in 1969 in a small garage with just six employees.

In an era where most consumer electronics are outsourced, Numatic stands as the only mass-produced consumer vacuum manufacturer still building in the UK. Walking through the Mould Shop and Assembly Lines, three themes became clear:
Vertical Integration: Numatic doesn't just assemble parts; they make them. From injection moulding their own plastic components to their sophisticated tube manipulation & robot welding facility, they control every step of the quality process.

Operational Excellence: The scale is staggering. Witnessing the "Goods Inward" facility and the new assembly areas showed how lean improvements have allowed them to scale to a facility capable of holding 300,000 finished units.

Simplicity by Design: On the tour, it was highlighted that a Henry vacuum is held together by just seven screws. This simplicity makes the product incredibly durable and, crucially, easy to repair—a win for the consumer and the environment.

Utilising automation to remove labour-intensive heavy tasks, so the team can be better utilised.

The Made in the South West initiative is vital because it reminds us that we aren't operating in silos. Sharing best practices—whether it's about apprenticeship programs, growth or lean manufacturing—strengthens the entire regional economy.