Welcome to this site visit with a twist.

The site visit

Let’s introduce you to Coates English Willow. Based right here in Somerset, and in the heart of the English willow industry, Coates English Willow supplies 86% of the world’s artist charcoal. Established in 1819, they have diversified yet still grow willow to produce baskets, furniture, and garden items.

The visit offers a tour of the site and is your chance to get behind the scenes of a world-wide exporter whose materials, craftsmanship and products are genuinely rooted in the county. Discover how Coates English Willow’s Somerset heritage has sustainability at its core, how this local manufacturer works successfully with a complex and variable product, and hear how they engage their people to optimise their productivity.

The twist

At this meeting of the Somerset Manufacturers Group, Nicola Coate, Director of Coates English Willow is also asking her fellow Somerset manufacturers to consider the possible solutions offered by robotics to a real life issue in her business.

Talent shortages and increasing customer demand – issues familiar to businesses across the county – have highlighted a particular bottleneck in her business. Potentially, automation is the answer.

Nicola has ideas as to what that solution could look like, and is now looking to the Somerset Manufacturers Group for their expertise and assistance. She sees the advantage of cross-sector input, both from those experienced in identifying and implementing automation and those who can transfer their manufacturing skill and know-how. Nicola is looking forward to seeing how your input can help her define the solution, whether bespoke or off the shelf, and plan its implementation.

It’s traditional Somerset meets technological opportunity, and your input could make all the difference to the vision this Somerset manufacturer sets for their future.

Click here to read more about Coates English Willow prior to your visit.

Ready to book your place?

We’re looking forward to seeing you.

About Somerset Manufacturers Group

The Somerset Manufacturers Group exists for the benefit of manufacturers in Somerset. The chance to network, and the opportunity to share knowledge and best practice, thus benefiting your own business and that of other like-minded manufacturing businesses in Somerset are just some of the reasons the group is valuable to our members. Membership is free, and you need not have attended a previous Somerset Manufacturers Group meeting to take part in this one, but you must book to attend.

If you do not represent a manufacturer with a base in Somerset, please do not book to attend this event. Simply get in touch with us at SWMAS to enquire about other opportunities to network, benefit from business support, or support manufacturers.