As part of the overall plan to improve the manufacturing capacity in all its aspects, casting, hand throwing, jiggering etc. a body preparation unit was imported in three instalments. The objective being to substitute RSA clay for that from an EU source (less cost, better quality), then process it for use in all manufacturing operations.

The first part of the project involved the assembly and commissioning of the casting slip facilities. This was to include a 'ring main' system whereby the technically controlled casting slip was circulated around a system and drawn off as required for filling of the moulds by use of a casting 'gun'. Previous casting had been done using a 'jug and bucket' method.