Direct Healthcare Group (DHG) have featured in this month’s Manufacturing Today Europe magazine, highlighting the success and growth of DHG since its formation in 2009. MTE caught up with Gerry Boyle, Group Operations Director, to learn how DHG have achieved such rapid growth, how they have invested in advanced, automated operations equipment and what the next 12 months has in store.
“What started within a small manufacturing unit based in Caerphilly, Wales, has quickly become a fast-growing business, with subsequent years seeing DHG being awarded with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for the Introduction of its Mercury Advance mattress.” Gerry opened. Following its beginning as Direct Healthcare Services in 2009, DHG has grown exponentially backed by a partnership with private equity company NorthEdge Capital and following a total of 4 acquisitions over the last 18 months. Direct Healthcare Group are now turning over £20million per year, with a head count of around 200 staff.
“One of our key focuses has always been the promoting of cutting-edge products that will help differentiate Direct Healthcare Group within the marketplace. The recent acquisitions and additions to our portfolio have definitely strengthened our position and given us a broader continuum of products.” Gerry continued.
“In the last couple of years, we have invested well over £1million on some of the most advanced automated equipment throughout our operations, including a suite of automated fabric cutting systems with full CAD control, CNC systems for foam conversion, and state-of-the-art high-frequency fabric welders.” Gerry stated. “At the same time we have introduced modern ERP systems to link our front office, back office and field service functions, and have adopted a GS1 compliant barcoding system to provide full traceability of all our products.”
Today, Direct Healthcare Group operates from two principle manufacturing facilities, its main, 100,000 sq.ft. site in Caerphilly, and its Yorkshire site which produces Qbitus cushions. DHG also have five regional service centres across the UK to maintain its rental fleet and service its customers.
To read the full article and learn more about DHG’s growth and manufacturing processes, click here.