Three manufacturing leaders aim to prove that a rising tide lifts all ships by forging mutually beneficial relationships with new partners, suppliers and customers. Jonny Williamson reports.
PROVIDING BREATHING ROOM
Occupational lung disease is a critical issue. According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), they are responsible for up to 12,000 deaths each year. In addition, around 17,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, resulting in an estimated 568,000 working days lost each year.
These figures clearly show the importance of having a properly designed, installed and working dust and fume extraction system. So critical are these local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems that they must be tested by law every 12 to 14 months by a qualified engineer.
The fact that LEV systems still had to undergo testing and maintenance during lockdown reflects how important they are. As such, companies like APS UK were permitted to travel to critical manufacturers like food and pharmaceutical to carry out tests and make any repairs.
Yorkshire based APS UK specialises in the design and installation of dust and fume extraction systems and pneumatic conveying systems. Its economical and innovative solutions have benefited numerous companies, including fellow Made in Yorkshire members Yorkshire Profiles and Rocol, to name just two.
“Rocol identified that their LEV system needed updating due to its age and their manufacturing process had grown over recent years,” explained Matthew Brown, Sales Director at APS UK.
“We worked very closely with Rocol to understand their processes, how their operators worked and where dust was created. We then designed two large LEV systems to replace several smaller systems that had become inadequate.”
It might not sound like the most exciting topic to discuss, but dust and how to extract it should be high on the agenda for any business, but especially manufacturers.
APS UK offers free advice, surveys and quotations to anyone concerned about the effectiveness of their current LEV system or considering installing a system.
Click here to contact Matthew and the APS UK team.
POWER PARTNERSHIPS
Ansaldo Nuclear (part of the Italian Ansaldo Energia Group) specialises in every aspect of the nuclear sector, from the design and manufacture of high integrity components, equipment and machinery, right through to installation and decommissioning.
Its UK head office and manufacturing works in Wolverhampton is steeped in the industrial history of the Black Country going back more than 200 years. Previously the site of John Thompson’s, NEI Thompson, Clarke Chapman, Rolls-Royce Nuclear Engineering and latterly Nuclear Engineering Services, the Ansaldo Energia Group acquired the company in 2014 as part of its strategy to become a leading player in the UK nuclear industry.
The strategy seems to be paying off. Ansaldo Nuclear is currently working directly and indirectly in support of nuclear facilities operated or being built by EDF Energy, Sellafield, Babcock Marine, Rolls-Royce, the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Westinghouse and BAE Systems.
It also has key roles in the advancement of next-generation nuclear reactor technologies such as lead-cooled fast reactors (LFR), small and advanced nuclear reactors (SMR/AMR) and fusion reactors.
Being involved in so many strategic projects means that Ansaldo Nuclear is always seeking new suppliers and partners. A key reason behind the company joining the Made in the Midlands network.
“I always say that we are an international company with a local identity,” said Andrea Basso, Managing Director of Ansaldo Nuclear. An ethos that applies as much to its supplier network as it does its workers.
The business has an extensive supply chain which includes the procurement of high-quality raw materials, destructive and non-destructive testing, machining, fabrication, standard and specialist fasteners, coating systems, mechanical and electrical components, tools and consumables.
“Our overall performance is as reliant on a strong supply chain as it is our internal performance. So, it’s very important to create strong working relationships with local companies that have similar values and common goals,” Andrea continued.
The UK nuclear sector could be facing a boom period. The Prime Minister recently announced he wants the UK to get 25% of its electricity from nuclear power, up from 16% today.
Sensing the opportunity, Ansaldo Nuclear has ambitious plans to treble the size of its current 250-strong workforce and to hit £100m within five years. But its ambitions go beyond just its own growth.
“We are always looking for partners and suppliers to not only help us to grow our business, but for us to help them grow theirs,” Andrea concluded.
Click here to contact Andrea and the Ansaldo Nuclear team.
A UNIQUE TWIST ON PRECISION TURNED PARTS
Established in 1989, Quantamatic specialises in the manufacture of small, precision turned parts in high volume, ranging from 0.8mm to a maximum outside diameter of 20mm, using fully automated Swiss coil fed Escomatic and Star CNC machines.
Unlike conventional machines, Escomatic lathes rotate the cutting tools rather than the material. The feedstock, typically coil or bar, remains stationary while a tool head rotates very closely and precisely around the material.
This unique concept results in quicker changeovers and more efficient production explained Quantamatic’s Operations and Production Director, Luke Moulding.
Quantamatic is currently the largest company in the Midlands using Escomatic machines and, with the capacity to produce more than 1 million parts a week, it is one of the UK’s fastest-growing producers of quality small turned components.
The productivity and efficiency improvements provided by its automated machines enable Quantamatic to deliver the highest levels of manufacturing excellence at an affordable price. This has seen it secure work both at home and abroad, with the business currently exporting to the EEC, the US and the Far East.
Like Andrea and Ansaldo Nuclear, Luke is keen to expand his network and engage with new suppliers and customers.
“We are particularly excited to see how we can enable businesses to source quality UK-manufactured parts rather than having to rely on imports,” Luke commented.
Click here to contact Luke and the Quantamatic team.
MEET, NETWORK AND SHARE BEST PRACTICE
Stories like these are why the Virtual Breakfast Mornings are so invaluable.
Sixty minutes out of your morning to hear inspiring and thought-provoking conversations, build relationships with like-minded fellow manufacturers, and gain a clearer picture of what’s happening beyond your factory gates.
I look forward to seeing you at the next one.
*Header image: pixabay.com
