Timeline

“Funded by good faith and a small loan, we lined up MB conveyors, Moretto loading and drying equipment and the unique Maguire blender, which was something like the industry had never seen, and so with that we were off ,” explained Jordan. Accompanied by colleague, Chris Bailey, the first employee on the payroll and who still works with Summit 35 years later, the company started selling.

Later that year, after the installation of its first central material handling systems the garage workspace was "starting to burst at the seams" according to Jordan, who decided to upgrade to bigger premises.

As the business grew, so did its portfolio of blue-chip customers. Recognising the need to increase the service provision for such high-profile businesses needing the security of full-cover, Summit implemented a 24/7 service offering. "We were the first company of our type to introduce a genuine guaranteed service," continued Jordan. "It's something we've continued ever since."

Despite the increase in warehouse space, continued growth saw Summit move for a third time. However, this time the company took up residence in a new, 2,700 sq. ft. factory in Tame Park, Tamworth - opened by the Chairman of the UK's biggest packaging company. Combined with Maguire Europe, the premises gave plenty of room for growth and is still where the company is based today - over 20 years later!

In addition to the new supplier partnership with Plastic Systems, Summit also added Tecnomagnete products to its' range, which offered customers reduced tool-change times and improved productivity, as well as products from Movacolor. "As the world leader in gravimetric dosing machines, once we added Movacolor products to our offering we experienced phenomenal growth company to volumetric counterparts."

Always on the lookout for new products to add to Summit's portfolio, 2008 marked the year where Mike Jordan was persuaded to test a Vismec dryer - a decision that turned out to be hugely beneficial for the company. "Vismec’s owners asked me to test this new 'revolutionary rotary dryer,", explained Jordan. "After some persuasion we agreed, and I am so glad we did! The product was incredibly well received and became the best-selling dehumidifying dryer on the market."

Other new products added included items from Zerma's size reduction range. "This became an important addition, especially considering recycling was so 'en-vogue'," Jordan continued.

'Unfortunately, in early 2016, the company decided to pull the plug on Boomerang after four years of operation. "We were simply ahead of our time," said Jordan. "Boomerang would be a huge success with the new approach to recycling, it is a shame".

In November 2021, Summit Systems were pleased to announce that the business achieved ISO9001:2015 certification. Ongoing implementation of the ISO systems and quality improvements will directly increase value to the loyal customer base, increasing customer satisfaction rates, which is crucial to Summit Systems.

Ian Lowe, Operations Director, “Achieving ISO9001 certification is affirmation of the quality levels Summit Systems has strived to deliver for over 30 years and will now frame this desire to keep enhancing both our products and service levels we offer our customers for many years to come.”

Summit Systems partnered with Oceans Integrity in a bid to drastically improve the ocean clean-up movement.

Oceans Integrity are working meticulously to rectify the growing issue of ocean plastics, creating a better planet and a more sustainable future, and Summit Systems are proud and excited to be a part of it.

This new partnership with AMUT, established in 2023, marks a significant step forward for Summit Systems and the UK plastics industry. As the exclusive distributor of AMUT's Extrusion Lines and Recycling Plants in the UK, we are now able to offer our customers direct access to some of the most advanced technology available in the market. This collaboration combines AMUT's cutting-edge innovation with our extensive knowledge and experience, enabling us to deliver solutions that drive operational excellence and support the growth of our customers’ businesses.