On 16th April, we were delighted to host the Made in the South West factory tour at PENTA Electrical Safety Products in Corsham—one of those days that reinforces the value of opening your doors and sharing what you do.
We made a conscious decision to present the business as it truly is, not a staged version for visitors. We’re partway through our journey, and that’s visible from our Lean principles displayed across the site to the way our teams actively engage in improving their work. This openness led to some insightful and meaningful conversations throughout the day.
What stood out most for us was seeing our own people lead the experience. Apprentices, operators, and team leaders guided the tours, sharing firsthand what they do, how they do it, and what they’re working to improve next. There’s no better way to represent a business than through the voices of those who live it every day.
A particular highlight for many visitors was observing our daily Gemba in action. There were no scripts or adjustments for the occasion—just a typical day reviewing performance, identifying challenges, and agreeing on next steps. It’s a simple discipline, but one that continues to make a significant impact for us.
We also enjoyed showcasing the engineering behind our electrical safety products—from precision assembly and rigorous testing to some of the more specialised machining techniques we employ. Everything we do is driven by a clear purpose: helping to keep people safe on the electricity network.
Above all, we were proud of how the team’s openness, honesty, and quiet confidence came through on the day.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked thoughtful questions, and shared their own experiences—and to Made in the South West for making it all possible. It was a fantastic day, and one we look forward to repeating..jpeg)
