Supply chain transition; moving into emerging and growing markets

After identifying opportunities for diversification, Midtherm, who are based in Dudley and have been trading since 1968, enrolled onto the Supply Chain Transition Programme. 

Midtherm began as a family-owned business and has since evolved to meet ever-changing manufacturing requirements. The Midtherm group specialises in the design and manufacture of comprehensive solutions including laser cutting, bending, fabrications, and innovative air purifying systems.

The Supply Chain Transition programme was initiated to help suppliers in the West Midlands learn about opportunities for diversification, work towards decarbonisation in historically carbon-intensive industries, and connect with Key Customers and OEMs to build resilient local supply chains for emerging markets.

Sales and Marketing Director for Midtherm, Mark Jones, previously worked within the rail sector. After joining the business three years ago, he could see the breadth of skills and capabilities the business had within its fabrication abilities and identified an opportunity to steer the business towards supplying the rail sector, as part of the business’ strategy. Implementing the strategy, however, presented challenges because many of Mark’s contacts in the rail sector had moved on or retired, so he spoke with an advisor from Business Growth West Midlands in Dudley, who suggested the Supply Chain Transition programme.

Mark said: “I had no plans initially to get involved with the VLR and LEV sectors but seeing the capabilities the company has in its fabrication division inspired our strategy to diversify into rail.
“After being introduced to the programme as a route to market, it quickly became a part of my strategy and seemed very interesting to me.”

Mark’s journey through the Supply Chain Transition programme has been pivotal for Midtherm as they expand into these new markets.
Mark said: “As well as attending the market education webinar and Meet the Buyer event, held at the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), I found the 1:1 engagement with the Supply Chain expert, Dimitrios Anagnostakis, particularly useful. He helped us develop a transition roadmap which identified where the business needed to be and what we needed to do to gain those routes into the markets, and it helped me focus on the right path for the business.

“It is really exciting to be on the first rung of the ladder in this sector. We have been in conversations with first tier suppliers following the suggestions from the digital roadmap, which was produced as part of the programme."

Supply Chain Transition Specialist, Dimitrios Anagnostakis said: “Midtherm’s primary goal was to gain a deeper understanding of how their current expertise—particularly in fabrication—could align with the needs of these sectors. A key part of this was identifying potential routes into future supply chains, making the right connections, and positioning themselves strategically to take advantage of market developments.

“The outcome of our engagement was a tailored transition roadmap, developed based on Mark’s input. This roadmap served as a strategic planning tool as well as a practical guide, helping Midtherm understand where to focus their efforts to align with sector demands, how to adapt existing capabilities to meet sector-specific standards, and immediate and longer-term opportunities for engagement with key stakeholders.”

Mark said “Going forward, we will be looking into upskilling our workers and recruiting another fabricator to the business. We currently work with welding apprentices who are doing very well within their role and benefitting from continual development. We are in contact with local colleges, talking to the students about the industry and giving tours of our factory to develop that initial spark within them for the manufacturing sector.

“I would, and have already, recommended the Supply Chain Transition programme to SMEs looking to expand their capabilities into these markets, the programme has helped me personally focus on what direction is right for Midtherm to become involved with these markets and what we need to do to develop the skills and requirements for the future. The 1:1 sessions with Dimitrious were extremely helpful, the development of the roadmap was invaluable for me, and it was fantastic to be at the Meet The Buyer event to meet like-minded SMEs and Key Customers.”

The programme is funded by the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund and is being delivered for the sectors of Very Light Rail and Light Electric Vehicles by C&W Business Solutions, in partnership with The West Midlands Growth Company and the Finditin Network, on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority and Business Growth West Midlands. Other sectors covered by the programme include Med/Health Tech, Future Housing & Smart Energy, Aerospace and Micromobility.

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