A CALDICOT engineering firm which grew from a single lathe in the owner’s garage has been showcased as one of the UK’s top performers in innovation and export.

Martin Cairncross Engineering, based at Severn Bridge Industrial Estate, is a leading supplier of products to the metal decorating industry.

It’s one of a select few companies featured in the 2018 Parliamentary Review of Construction and Engineering, which is sent out to more than half a million leading policymakers nationwide, including MPs, peers, chief executives and key figures in construction, engineering and manufacturing.

“It’s a great honour for a little Welsh company like ours to be recognised in this way, having managed through innovation to attract customers in 120 countries,” said Martin Cairncross, pictured right, who founded the company with his wife Linda 40 years ago.

“We’re all buoyed up with it because it strengthens our future, particularly at a time when we are waiting to see what Brexit is going to mean to us.”

The Parliamentary Review team selects industries not only based on their record for innovation and export but also their increased turnover, in order to share ‘best practice’ within the public and private sector. The aim is to show how organisations and individuals have become leaders in their field and responded to challenges.

The idea was introduced by the Prime Minister to celebrate hard work and leadership and culminates in a gala evening at Westminster Palace.

Martin Cairncross Engineering, which supplies equipment to attach to coating machines in the metal decorating industry, has responded to sharp contraction in the UK market by developing export markets which now account for around 80 per cent of turnover.

Its key selling point is offering long-lasting components at a cheaper cost than from original equipment manufacturers.

During the past decade government regulation has forced aggressive coatings on the industry, culminating in new challenges to the life of existing tools and equipment, reducing their ‘life expectancy’ to hours rather than days.

Several years of research and development led MCE to a patented solution which would keep the can-making lines running for 48 to 72 hours with five-minute breaks rather than stopping every seven hours with a one-hour break. The system also has the unique feature of extending scraper blade life by four times.

Martin says the company launched its new product at international trade shows in Germany - winning a silver award for innovation at the Essen trade fair.

It’s a route he strongly recommends to other companies.

“I believe the reason we have been so successful is because I have got on my bike and attended these major trade fairs where you meet potential customers face-to-face,” he said.

Demand for MCE’s new product - which increases weekly production by 15 per cent - pushed sales up 70 per cent over the 2016/17 financial year.

Following installations in the UK, France, Czech Republic, Israel, Dubai, Netherlands, Belgium and Turkey the company now also provides a bespoke system for the largest can-maker in the world, based in the USA.

Five years of research and development also produced a ‘mist detection unit’ which allows can makers to improve the quality of their product and reduce wastage.

“Our whole culture is to apply innovative ideas in a pragmatic way,” said Martin.