Headquartered in Bristol, Avon Group is regarded as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of aerosol gaskets and is a market leader in the production of automotive components as well as a wide range of sealing, insulation, acoustic, filtration and protection products.
Mark Rushin, Avon Group’s Group Director, attributes the company’s continued success to innovation, organic growth and strategic acquisition. As the company celebrates its 45th anniversary - originally founded in 1979 as Avon Gasket Manufacturing - it has set a bold new target.
“Since the Avon Group was founded in 1979, we have enjoyed 45 years of sustained growth and we’re all set to go from strength to strength,” Rushin said. “Our growth is a combination of innovation, organic development and of course acquisition.
“We're renowned and respected for our selective approach and we’ve turned down more opportunities than we’ve taken. It’s been a successful formula and we’re confident that by sticking to our tried and trusted principles, we’ll reach the £100 million sales mark.”
Avon Group is a collection of engineering and manufacturing businesses with diverse but complementary skills and capabilities.
“Our diversity adds security for customers, suppliers and staff. We also own our freeholds to shield ourselves from rental inflation and invest heavily in the latest equipment to ensure productivity, precision and repeatability, all while holding dear our traditional family values and strong moral compass," Rushin added.
“Our debt levels are closely monitored. We are a debt-averse business, but we have the full backing of our banking partners should the need arise. We aim to fund operations internally wherever possible which is quite an achievement for a business of our scale.”
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Over the last 10 years, Avon Group has invested over £30 million with a further £3 million set to be spent this year on already planned projects.
Rushin is also proud of the company’s ability to attract and retain talented staff: “We look after our team and are proud of a staff retention rate above 90 per cent. We train, develop and offer opportunities for growth. We’ve increased wages every year since our founding and reward our people beyond the basics to attract quality talent into our organisation.”
A key driver of Avon’s continued success is its operational discipline, underpinned by the “Avon Way” and the “6S” methodology: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Sustain, Standardise and Safety, which enhances safety, efficiency and quality across all sites.
Beyond the bottom line, Avon Group is committed to supporting charitable causes with Children’s Hospice South West being just one of the many charities Avon Group supports.
“A combination of all these efforts has helped us ride out recessions, COVID and global uncertainty. Strategically, we’ve targeted growth in Asia, expanded into South America and continued building our presence in North America while maintaining our strength here at home," Rushin concluded.
“With nine sites and over 550 staff, we’re well placed to continue expanding and become the go-to partner for everything related to sealing and acoustics. We’re also innovating in compliance testing, improving aerosol seal processes and investing in market-leading EV and battery NVH solutions using recycled materials.
“Success hasn’t come easily. I’ve got up every day of my working life to make a positive difference, starting by always aiming to look the smartest in the room and working hard to earn and keep the respect of those around me.”
