The benefits of a single source for injection moulding and electroplating                 

Jan 27, 2025

Borough has for decades been considered as one of the UK’s, leading suppliers of electroplated plastic components for a number of different sectors, including automotive supply chain, healthcare and point-of-sale.

No business understands the process of plating plastic like we do. But in recent years we have significantly expanded our injection moulding capability for good reason. It’s not just volume that matters, but also the complexity and sustainability that we had to consider.

We invested in tie-bar-less technology to ensure we can effectively mould larger components on a smaller machine, which saves energy and allows us to swap tools more quickly and efficiently to keep more customers happy with quicker deliveries.

It is also important that product designers understand the subtle changes in component design required if a part is to be successfully plated. We work closely with designers from the outset to ensure consistent, high-quality output of components, whether they are electroplated or not.

We believe there are compelling reasons for manufacturers to source their plated components from a single source, such as Borough. It as far easier to become highly proficient injection moulders than it is for injection moulders to start chrome plating.

A single source makes sense for many reasons

Order only what you need – Our processes and technology ensure our customers can order what they want, when they want it. We remove the need for minimum order quantities from the injection moulding suppliers to make the set-up and carriage costs reasonable per component.

Reduce warehouse storage by 50% – We’re not saying order five for tomorrow, but when we have the tooling, the material, the technology and the capacity to provide what you need, with a single complete cost, you no longer have to hold as much stock.

Reduce material handling by 50% – Each component only makes one journey. If we undertake the injection moulding and the electroplating, then parts travel from our Leigh-on-Sea facility to your door, rather than moulder to us, then to you, so there are sustainability benefits too.

Manage one supplier instead of two – We know how complicated it can be these days to manage suppliers. You worry about their compliance, their insurance, their quality control, sustainability credentials and viability, which can all be made simpler with a shorter list.

Reduce order processing by 50% – We know it’s far easier to place on order than two, having to manage delivery dates, quality issues and moulding defects. With an injection moulder capable of high-quality plating, one order gets it all without the unnecessary complications.

No liability for moulding defects – If you want 1000 chrome plated switch bezels for the cabin of your latest model and order from Borough, that’s what you get. But how many parts supplied by a moulder with no experience of plating do you have to order to allow for the number we are likely to reject before we plate?

Reduce scheduling by 50% – Ordering from a single source reduces lead times as you only have to fit your order into one schedule, ours. And you know trying to secure production lead times in two schedules is typically longer than twice a single source.

Reduce procurement by 50% – Managing just one supplier simplifies ordering, invoicing, and communication, saving time and reducing your administrative workload. Instead of coordinating between two separate suppliers, you deal with just one, for more efficient project management.

Reduce transport costs by 50% – A single source not only offers sustainability benefits by reducing the distance travelled by components, but you are also reducing your transport costs. Each part makes one journey, not two.

In conclusion, if you are seeking suppliers to support a new project or take over supply to benefit from the advantages we have listed above, please get in touch with the experienced team here at Borough, who will discuss the next steps with you.

And remember, our ability to provide high quality injection moulding services, combined with the highest quality electroplating, all available from a single source, can reduce your average lead times up to 50% in addition to all of the benefits listed above. Talk soon.