UK-based Miswa Chemicals, a family-operated enterprise established 46 years ago, has grown into a leading name in the manufacture of automotive fluids and aftercare products, as well as insecticides. “We’re a family-run business across three generations, founded by my mother and grandfather, who – at the age of 98 – is still advising in the company,” says company director Oren Patel-Champion. He explains that at first, the company predominantly focused on exporting, specifically to Africa, but since the 1990s has consistently grown its UK market share.
Now Miswa is one of the leading manufacturers in the UK of automotive fluid products, such as screen washes, antifreeze, brake fluids and coolants. The company is also a market leader in several African countries with its insecticides brand, which emerged from the founder’s personal mission to combat malaria after witnessing its devastating effects in western Africa. Miswa’s insecticides are now sold across the whole Saharan Belt, where malaria is the strongest.
Automotive fluids represent the largest product group, today accounting for 75% of the business. Operating from its site in Northamptonshire with a workforce of around 120 employees, Miswa balances seasonality and market demands through agility and efficiency, and is set to push for further growth.
In a market dominated by multinational giants, Miswa’s family-led structure offers a distinct advantage, says Patel-Champion. “As a family business that’s founder-led, we can change the course of the business quickly and remain agile, we can change our infrastructure, we can change the way that we operate as and when required.”
The company thrives on agility, leveraging a lean and skilled team. This approach has fuelled consistent 30% UK year-on-year growth for the past two years. “To achieve such progress has only been possible with the support of the amazing team we have here, combined with an MD who provided funding, wisdom, and – probably most importantly – let us go for it,” says Patel-Champion.
Resilient and dedicated
He himself assumed his role only about a year ago as a result of dire circumstances. Whilst on a malaria awareness campaign in Africa, Swati, his mother and the then company director, contracted the most severe strain of malaria. Her six-month hospitalization and eight-month absence from the company tested the resilience of the team.
Not only the next generation of the family, but employees across the company stepped up, assuming new responsibilities without hesitation. This period of adversity reinforced the strength of Miswa’s management culture, fostering loyalty, adaptability, and initiative among its workforce.
“The benefit of having people with long-standing tenure of 10, 15, 20 years is that they’re willing to take on more responsibility without being asked. That says a lot about the sort of management my mother practiced over the years,” says Patel-Champion who himself had been working in the company, in various roles, for 4 years before the director role was bestowed upon him.
Similarly, Miswa’s long-standing relationships with suppliers and customers are a testament to its integrity and quality. The company’s reputation extends beyond its direct business dealings, as demonstrated by the outpouring of support during Swati’s illness. Suppliers, competitors, and even bankers offered guidance and assistance, reflecting the respect Miswa has earned within the industry.
Support for British manufacturers
Looking back, Swati Patel-Champion reflects: “I think my illness and my absence was a blessing in disguise – it helped the team shape up and step up. It was a good learning curve for everybody. Building out a very strong team all the way from production operative levels to director level has been quite an achievement.”
Swati’s recovery and subsequent awards, including recognition as one of the UK’s fastest-growing women-led businesses by JPMorgan and the Inspiring Leader Award by The Manufacturer, underscore her impact and leadership to build the foundations on which the next generation is now building the company.
Still, speaking about the current market environment in the UK, she points out that the British government could do more for manufacturing businesses, given the rising costs for utilities and business rates, further compounded by sustainability regulations and a lack of alignment with broader economic strategies.
“We strongly believe in British manufacturing, which is so dear to us, but can’t keep on passing the increases onto the consumers as they will not be able to afford it. There are currently no initiatives, no incentives to support British manufacturers – we are out on our own trying to forge our way forward, and it’s getting increasingly difficult. And yet manufacturing is the backbone of any economy.”
Solid foundations
Despite these hurdles, Miswa continues to pursue innovative solutions, such as incorporating circular economy principles into its manufacturing processes, and exploring new ways to deliver products. By recycling automotive and chemical waste, the company aims to achieve more substantial environmental benefits than traditional small-scale initiatives.
Swati further points out that since the end of Covid, Miswa has invested £5M over the last 3 years between human resources and infrastructure. The company’s capacity has increased fivefold over the past three years, upgrading facilities and automating processes to meet rising demand efficiently. “I believe that in the next 18 months, we’ll see the fruits of these investments in assets and the management team,” she says.
Oren agrees: “We have scaled up dramatically, and now are poised for a new era of growth, targeting both UK and international markets. The company aims to reclaim its leadership in exports. Focus will not necessarily be the African countries; the whole world is our oyster at this point.”
Looking at what has been achieved by the younger generation over the last year, Swati can rest assured that the company is in good hands. “From the very humble, small beginnings that my father and I started, we have lived through a very long but very exciting journey. I know now that a storm will not make the company crumble. Miswa stands on a solid foundation and nothing can rock it. Seeing that our vision is now shared by the next generation gives me reassurance that all that hard work has been well worth it.”
