Tying In Innovation

Semperfli create new, innovative products with the help of a PAPI grant

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Semperfli Fly Tying Materials specialise in the niche market of fly tying; the craft of creating an artificial fly which is used by fly anglers when fishing. Flies are made world-wide by fishermen in pursuit of their hobby. These use a vast array of synthetics, furs, and feathers. Every fly requires fly-tying threads. Semperfli have become a global leader in high tech fly tying materials. Through innovative product development, Semperfli now manufactures over 1,000 products which are sold around the world, with major markets in the USA and Canada.

Innovation

Semperfli’s products are renowned in the fly-tying world as market leaders, used by professional fly tyers around the world. Their innovative materials have also been used by other specialist organisations including NASA, for the launch of a space sail, and by Cambridge Consultants, who prototyped a surgical robot for cataract surgery which used the silk at its core.

In 2018, following significant research and development, Semperfli applied for a PAPI grant to support the development of an innovative, new ready-waxed thread which would be flatter and easier to split than competing products. This would create new product ranges, which the company identified as a key market opportunity.

Semperfli's website
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New products

A PAPI grant supported the purchase of new machinery in order to manufacture the new products. This machinery doubled capacity, halved production time and increased margins on the prototype products to 60%.

Incredibly, within 6 weeks of the new products hitting Semperfli dealers world-wide, sales exceeded the target for the whole of 2019 by 100%. Semperfli are constantly innovating, conducting research and development for new products and investing in new machinery. The company have increased turnover and profits year on year and continue to innovate and grow.

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We are very grateful to PAPI for their support. The funding towards specialist machinery has made a real difference to our business. This equipment has set us apart from our competitors and we are now reaping the rewards of this with the highest quality products and happy customers who appreciate the results!

Ann Kitchener, Managing Director