A Shropshire-based pressings and assemblies specialist has invested more than £2m in acquiring its largest-ever progression press.SDE Technology installed the 1000-tonne Chin Fong press and coil handling line at its Brixton Way factory in Shrewsbury, an installation that allows larger die usage and helpsbigger larger products for use in the automotive sector.

The press, which has a bed size of 4.5 x 1.8m, has capacity for over £2m of new revenue, with the management team already in discussions with larger OEMs and tier-one suppliersseeking security of supply and opportunities to de-risk the supply chain. Due to the investment, SDE Technology has created eight new jobs and safeguarded tens more.

“This is our largest-ever progression press and one of the largest in the UK automotive supply chain,” explains Richard Homden, managing director of SDE Technology.“It’s a fantastic time to invest in this new capability. Yes, there are current headwinds, but for the bold there’s also opportunities, with lots of reshoring, electrification and carbon reduction projects currently in discussion.The £2m investment will be a game-changer for our business and the West Midlands as a whole.”

SDE Technology is one of the largest manufacturers of pressings and assemblies in the UK, employing more than 130 people across its core production business and at Salop Haulage Ltd.

Chris Greenough, commercial director at SDE Technology, says: “The Chin Fong investment comes off the back of two earlier press installations, offering 100 and 200tonne capabilities.These were put in initially to deliver pressings for the white goods industry, but they could also support other tooling projects going forward.”
For further information www.sde.technology