Locit Limited charts growth through manufacturing investment, digital transformation, workforce development, and expansion
A £1 million investment from the Development Bank of Wales signals another exciting chapter in Locit Limited’s growth. Just four years ago, the team opened the doors of an empty facility in Deeside. Today, the steel locker manufacturer has surpassed £10 million in revenue, has won contracts with national brands, has expanded its product range, and is well on the way to a fully digital manufacturing environment.
For Richard Vaughn Williams, Managing Director of Locit Limited (Locit), this funding is not just a milestone. It is about building the capacity for what is next. New robotic equipment is on its way, factory systems are getting more connected every day, and the team is already talking about adding another 20,000 square feet to the company’s North Wales footprint.
The pace of development reflects the solid foundation Richard set when he launched the business in 2022 with support from Arete Capital Partners. Starting from scratch let him design the systems and processes he knew modern manufacturing needed.
Richard brought a rare depth of industry experience to Locit. After building and selling Lion Steel, one of the UK’s largest locker manufacturers, he knew exactly what capabilities, technology, and customer relationships would drive growth. Those lessons shaped many early decisions at Locit, from investing in manufacturing technology to nurturing close customer relationships that still define the company’s strategy.
“Staying ahead of the market has always been a top priority for Locit. The company has backed that ambition with early investment in specialized equipment and technology, building a manufacturing platform that supports product innovation and expansion. We set out to future-proof the business from day one. That is now making us even more competitive,” Richard explains.
“Our operational strategy is about focusing on bigger projects and staying close to our largest customers. We are always working to be ahead of the market with fresh ideas and concepts. We also have strong relationships with technology suppliers and use a lot of tech in our products.” Locit designs and makes steel lockers, shelving, cupboards, cloakroom equipment, and storage systems for customers in education, retail, leisure, and workplace sectors. Increasingly, growth is coming from product development and customization.
Richard has not just focused on production numbers. He has enhanced the company’s design and development capabilities, helping customers bring new ideas to life faster. “We are always working to lead the market. Sure, at the end of the day, we make a box, but we are deeply involved in bespoke products, co-designing with customers and bringing new concepts to market. We have invested a lot in people, skills, and software so we can support product designers and turn ideas into finished products,” Richard comments.
That investment is opening doors in connected technologies, which Richard views as a key part of Locit’s future. Smart lockers are taking up a larger share of the portfolio, blending physical storage solutions with digital platforms and the ability to connect directly to customer mainframe systems. “We are working with all kinds of technologies now. Our smart lockers can connect to mainframe systems, so customers can monitor activity and access valuable data. We are putting a lot of energy into smart locker development,” Richard observes.
While product innovation stays top of mind, operational transformation is moving just as quickly. The new funding supports investments across production, logistics, software, and automation, bringing together systems designed to work seamlessly. “We have new computerized robotic equipment coming in that will boost efficiency, improve quality, and help us deliver even faster,” Richard remarks. Alongside production equipment, Locit has rolled out software to help with product design and connected technologies that unite activities across the factory, making operations more integrated. The team has invested in transport systems that scan products in and out, track them during delivery, and provide customers with accurate order updates.
As automation ramps up, Richard ensures that investment in technology goes hand in hand with investment in people. Developing talent from within has become a hallmark of Locit’s culture. “Finding, retaining, and training great people is always a challenge, but we have discovered some real superstars within the organization and put time into helping them upskill. They have grown and so have we as a company. That has allowed us to bring in apprentices and build structures that support ongoing growth. People skills are at the heart of this business, so we always aim to promote and invest in our own team,” Richard emphasizes. That commitment to homegrown talent means apprentices coming through the business often work alongside the same specialists who were promoted through Locit’s own ranks. This creates a pipeline in which institutional knowledge stays in-house even as the company scales.
Growth, technology, and operational change tell only part of the story. Sustainability is woven into Locit’s manufacturing approach. The company has already reached PAS 2060 carbon-neutral certification, an internationally recognized standard that verifies an organization has measured, reduced, and offset its carbon emissions. Locit is now working toward even higher standards while investing in systems that reduce waste and boost efficiency across the factory floor.
As Locit gears up for its next phase of expansion, Richard’s priorities are clear. “We have new equipment arriving, so we are focused on integrating it, training our people, and making sure we deliver the efficiencies we expect. We are also in talks about expanding the factory and could add another 20,000 square feet by year’s end,” Richard concludes.
For a business that has grown from a standing start into a national manufacturer in four years, the focus remains on creating the capacity, capability, and infrastructure to support what comes next.
