Keep making the tablets

Residents who are lucky enough to own a dishwasher may not know it but they are likely to be buying detergent tablets that are manufactured thanks to a world-beating Erewash firm that also helps to make millions of pills including life-saving cancer medication.

The chances are that even when you reach for a humble paracetamol or tablet of ibuprofen it comes from a factory that uses machinery from pioneering company I Holland. The equipment even punches out sweets such as mints. These include a famous brand that the firm’s contract forbids it from revealing.

The Long Eaton engineering firm – based in Meadow Lane – is the world’s longest-established maker of “tablet compression tooling”. It was founded more than 75 years ago and has become a huge exporter – with overseas customers now accounting for 95 per cent of its business. During the pandemic it rushed to perfect tooling for the anti-COVID pill Paxlovid.

Because pharmaceutical giants require ultra-sterile equipment the company has been looking at new ways to keep machinery pristine.  A £10,343 research and development grant from Erewash Borough Council has gone towards the project – using funding from the government. 

The company’s spokesman Dillan Gelder said: “Paracetamol, ibuprofen, mints, dishwasher tablets – we make bespoke tooling for so many products. In fact, we have more than 10,000 designs on record. A lot of people can’t believe this all happens in Long Eaton. One product most people will have heard of is Nurofen, which is made locally at Reckitt Benckiser in Nottingham.” 

Erewash Borough Councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said: “I Holland is truly an example of quality British engineering – and the council is proud to play a part in what is a local success story dating back to 1946.

“The firm’s successful application to the council for a research and development grant will help to boost the local economy – which is what the government funding we have secured is designed to do.”

Two other companies have also won grants. Dales Fabrications Ltd, which makes aluminium building products, was awarded £17,025. The firm is based in Ilkeston – as is injection moulding specialist RA Labone Ltd, which got £12,812.

For more information about the grants check out the Erewash Borough Council website here: R&D Grant Scheme Applicants Guide (erewash.gov.uk)