Leading automation and precision components supplier, Lambert Engineering, is celebrating a record year after embracing the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and digital skills.
Lambert has seen annual sales rise to a record £22.6m, with 80% of equipment built now exported key strategic customers in Europe, North America, South America and the rest of the world.
The North Yorkshire firm has enjoyed strong growth in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and medical markets, where its new cloud-based ‘Omni Feeder’ technology has been fundamental in securing new contracts.
Mike Lewis, associate sales director, explained: “2016 was all about investment in our people and new technologies that will continue to give us a competitive advantage over our rivals…the good news is it appears to be a formula that’s working, with more than £4m of new sales already delivered in the first quarter of 2017.
“However, you can’t stand still in what we do and similar levels of investment have been directed into ensuring we are at the forefront of cloud-based automation and cyberphysical connectivity.”
Lewis continued: “The consumers desire to personalise and constantly refresh their purchases is driving manufacturers to request automation solutions that are suited to provide lower batch sizes and to be configurable with zero downtime.
“There’s also a growing demand for higher productivity that means an ever-increasing need to have real time performance data in various locations.”
Lambert, one of the worlds’ leading innovative developers of factory automation and multiple category winner of The Manufacturer MX Awards, was chosen by EEF to host its recent event exploring the growing impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Keynote speeches form Mike Lewis, Martin Strutt (EEF, consultancy director), Nick Hussey (CEO of Hennik Group, publishers of The Manufacturer) and Warren Harvard (Festo GB) discussed the practices and solutions companies are adopting to optimise their operations and improve connectivity.
There were also demonstrations from technology experts Balluff, Rockwell Automation, Staubli and Festo GB, as well as a guided tour of the Lambert’s impressive facility in the heart of Tadcaster.
Lambert is expecting turnover to grow again in 2017 and, while a large number of contracts are again for customers overseas, one UK manufacturing plant is investing upwards of £6.6m in 4IR-enabled automation.
This project is in production set-up phase and delivery is expected to start later this year and into 2018.
Celebrating the best of British
Inspiring, recognising, rewarding UK manufacturing
Recognise your company’s achievements and enter this year’s The Manufacturer MX Awards, the industry’s most prestigious annual programme.
With a 25% increase in entries and a sold-out ceremony and gala dinner in 2016, this year’s The Manufacturer MX Awards are expected to be bigger and better than ever.
Companies and individuals of all sectors and sizes are eligible to enter, and there is a category to suit every achievement – from People & Skills and Partnership with Education, to Innovation & Design and Supply Chain Excellence.
Nominations must be submitted by 30 June.
For more information, please click here.
