The Business Concept Q4 2023

76. Best European Standard Parts & Machine Accessories Manufacturer & Supplier 2023 - UK With a long history, WDS Components Ltd (WDS) prides itself on over 70 years in the manufacture and supply of essential everyday components. We find out more from Mark Moody as it gains recognition in the Industrial Production and Manufacturing Awards 2023. “Combined with great value it means we have what the customer wants when they want it, and at a great price,” enthuses Mark. “Whether our customer needs thousands or just one we have it on the shelf when they need it. If we don’t have it, we would love to hear from our customers so that we can adjust our stocks to accommodate their requirements.” WDS constantly evaluates the scheme to ensure that it is listening to its customer’s demands and requirements. By fully engaging with, and understanding customer requirements, the company is able to adjust its stocks quickly and effectively. Customers are at the heart of everything WDS does and everything it supplies and, from speaking to Mark, this is clear from the offset. The firm’s core focus principles have been developed and introduced following the difficult business trading period directly after the Covid-19 pandemic, and they take into account the latest issues faced globally, including supply chain issues, Brexit, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the cost-of-living crisis, all of which have played a significant part in complicating normal business. To counteract these challenges, WDS strives to ensure that all of its colleagues embrace its strong customer-centric values. “In order to meet our customers’ expectations, we have a ‘right first time’ approach,” Mark states. “We achieve this by engaging with them clearly and accurately at every opportunity, with skilled and knowledgeable colleagues.” The WDS website is also designed to provide as much information as possible, with a simple user and purchase experience for customers, with trade account holders being able to login online and see their orders, check their order status, account information, and manage their own teams and web order authorities. “We aim to deliver quality at every stage of our customer journey, from initial contact with the website or the sales team, right through to our invoices being correct and the goods arriving at the right time and place.” To this end, WDS was recently celebrated for its dedication and commitment to its loyal customer base and rewarded with the title of Best European Standard Parts & Machine Accessories Manufacturer & Supplier 2023 – UK. Regarding the future, WDS Components Ltd has big plans for further growth and aims to become the UK’s market leading outlet for components, standard parts, and machine accessories, as well as to be recognised online as a global leader in the marketplace, by both customers and other suppliers. Following recent investment in machines, website development, and warehouse software, it seems that the next few years are looking very rosy indeed! Contact: Mark Moody Company: WDS Components Ltd Web Address: www.wdscomponents.com Established in 1952 under the name Woodside Die Sinking Co. Ltd, WDS Components is a leading European manufacturer and global supplier of standard parts, machine accessories, and work holding components. The firm caters to many sectors, including, but not limited to, aerospace, automation, chandler and marine enclosures, food and beverage, health and fitness, logistics, energy and power, pharmaceutical and medical, entertainment, sports, and DIY. In fact, WDS’s customer base includes some of the world’s most famous engineering companies and its components can be found in planes, trains, boats, automobiles, workshops, and everything else. The WDS range of products is characterised by high quality, superior performance, unrivalled choice, and excellent value for money. The firm is innovative and regularly reviews the market, evaluates its product offering, and enhances its range to meet current and future customer requirements. Whilst the firm has changed ownership several times over the decades, it remains privately owned. Employing almost 50 people in many roles, the company occupies one head office unit in Pudsey, Leeds, which is also home to its manufacturing and warehouse facility. “We provide a one-stop shop and single point of contact for all our customers, no matter where they are based in the world,” explains Sales and Marketing Director, Mark Moody. “Our sales team are friendly and always available to discuss our customers’ needs.” The company has moved with the times in the 71 years since its initial inception, and it now regularly engages and communicates with customers via social media, such as Facebook and WhatsApp, as well as utilising video calls, email, webchat, and other digital platforms. “Technology has made the business more digital, with growing numbers of customers now trading digitally,” Mark elaborates. “We’ve also gone from line drawings to us being leaders in CAD and its use in the market. In fact, WDS was one of the early users of CAD and CAD tech. Machines, technology, and automation have made us more efficient over the years.” The current market, whilst relatively buoyant, is not without its challenges and Mark tells us that the main issues are around availability. To this end, WDS has introduced a stock guarantee that continues to grow to give confidence in supply to its customers. Stocking more than three million items, with 50,000 sku codes, the number of products in the guarantee keeps on growing. May23211

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