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So you’ve got an idea for a new plastic product but you’re not sure where to start and how to move from design to manufacture? Well, that’s where Heyside Group can help with trade moulding solutions. Designing a custom moulded product can feel complex, especially if it’s your first time developing a component for a specialist application. This step-by-step guide walks you through the full process, from concept and material selection to tooling and testing, to help you understand how manufacturers like Heyside turn ideas into production-ready, moulded parts.
Melvyn Pryce has been in the plastics industry since the age of 18. After building and selling a successful business earlier in his career, he took early retirement at 50. But retirement didn’t last long.
With his son Matthew freshly out of college and not heading to university, the pair decided to start something together. They bought a shredder – and Heyside was born.
“I always had self-belief,” Melvyn explains. “I’d worked hard all my life. Having built a business before, I had the experience and, most importantly, the drive to do it again.”
Like many start-ups, the biggest early challenge was cash. “It was hard at the start,” Melvyn admits. “But after three or four years, people began to trust us.”
That trust changed everything. Improved supplier credit terms led to better cash flow, creating stability and momentum. While Melvyn was confident the business would succeed, he couldn’t have predicted just how far it would grow.
From day one, Heyside was shaped by clear principles: A relentless work ethic, strong customer relationships and complete honesty – even when things go wrong.
“I’ve always believed you grow on the back of your customers,” says Melvyn. “Sometimes difficult conversations are necessary. You can’t just tell people what they want to hear.”
That straight-talking approach has become a defining feature of the business.
The plastics manufacturing and recycling sector has transformed dramatically over the years. Advances in technology, the rise of Lean Management, and growing environmental awareness have reshaped the landscape. Heyside embraced these changes rather than resisting them. “We’ve never been scared of change – embracing it has helped us accelerate.”
A major turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to government funding and supportive banking conditions enabled significant investment in new machinery – transforming operations and opening new opportunities.
Today, Heyside recycles around 300 tonnes of waste plastic every week – roughly the equivalent of 20 Arctic truckloads diverted from landfill.
Many customers come to Heyside after being let down elsewhere. That insight helped shape the company’s positioning. The business has grown largely through word of mouth, built on: reliability, professionalism, technical knowledge and long-term relationships
Management remains deliberately lean, allowing for greater control and smarter investment in technology rather than layers of overhead. Quality, for Heyside, isn’t just about product specification – it’s about environmental impact. Every tonne recycled represents waste that won’t end up in landfill.
Seeing his son Matthew step into the Managing Director role is a source of immense pride for Melvyn. From sweeping factory floors as a child to leading the company, Matthew’s journey feels almost inevitable.
“He’s hardworking, a strong communicator and excellent at juggling lots of different responsibilities,” says Melvyn.
For other family-run businesses, his advice is simple: Recognise individual strengths, understand limitations, and don’t set unrealistic expectations.
The future of Heyside Group is firmly focused on innovation. New product development is central to the company’s growth strategy, particularly in expanding the use of recycled plastic as an alternative to concrete. International markets are also on the horizon.
Recent appointments, including a new compliance manager and specialist marketing support, reflect a business becoming even more professional and future-ready. “If you stand still, you’re going backwards,” Melvyn says. “We always want to be at the forefront.”
When asked about legacy, Melvyn’s answer is clear: professionalism, integrity, and positive environmental impact. From a single shredder to a thriving recycled plastics manufacturer with growing capacity, Heyside’s journey has been built on hard work, resilience and honesty.
“We’ve got our hands dirty,” he reflects. “But we’ve had plenty of laughs along the way.”
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Get in touch with Heyside Group to discuss your idea, request a feasibility review,
or explore tooling options tailored to your application.