A Birmingham manufacturer of precision components has upgraded its facility with new technology following a £800,000 investment.
Brandauer, part of the Midlands Assembly Network (MAN), has acquired two GF Agie Charmilles wire EDM machines to support its strategic expansion and desire to win contracts in new markets.
The installation of the two Cut 3000 machines gives the company the ability to provide faster and more flexible production when making technical changes to problematic tools.
Despite only being operational for four months, the machines have already played their part in helping the 151 year-old firm manufacture £200,000 worth of progression tools for projects ranging from surgical device blanks to micro-surveillance component applications for clients in the life protection sector.
Rowan Crozier, sales and marketing director, said the machines, which are rare in the UK, are a direct response to demands from both existing and new customers.
“Our new Wire EDM cell has been specified to a world-class level, with temperature controlled environment, new flooring, lighting and additional space added. The new technology ensures we can achieve exacting quality faster than ever before,” he said.
Mr Crozier added: “The other big selling point is the technical flexibility. We can make the required technical improvements to problematic tools both quickly and seamlessly and this will be a major attraction when we are bidding for potential tool transfer opportunities.”
Brandauer, which has been assisted on the acquisition by business and tax advisors Chantrey Vellacott DFK, has been developing a complex component tooling set for use in zero emission, remote power generation that can be used as a back-up power supply in countries where regular interruptions occur.
It has now had the prototype part approved for pre-production and the firm plan to be manufacturing more than 60,000 units per month for shipment and assembly in China in late 2014.
This should be worth £720,000 alone next year, with the potential to eventually surpass £1m, as volumes increase to cope with demand.
