Think back to when Manchester United secured the treble, The Matrix redefined cinema and the Millenium Dome was London’s latest architectural icon. Around that time, Billington Structures Ltd and Ficep UK began a partnership that has stood the test of time. Over 25 years later, this collaboration – based on shared goals and trust – has helped Billington, a major UK structural steel fabricator, improve its operations and remain at the forefront of its industry.

The introduction of Ficep Gemini machines marked a key step in the partnership. These machines allowed Billington to handle multiple tasks, such as chamfering, drilling and plasma cutting – on a single platform.

Billington also turned to Ficep for its laser processing technology. The company purchased a Ficep Cutlite machine, capable of cutting material up to 50 mm thick. After seeing the machine in action at Ficep’s UK open house and later visiting the factory in Italy, Billington was convinced of its capabilities.

Kevin Campbell, managing director of Billington Structures, says: “The thing that impressed us most was its ability to process material up to 50 mm thick. Since its installation, we’ve found the productivity much better than we expected, while the quality of parts is second to none.”

Ficep provides ongoing support, including maintenance contracts and complementary solutions like its vending machine for consumables.

Says Campbell: “The Billington/Ficep partnership over the past 25-30 years has seen us grow as a business, offer more products, and maintain our competitiveness and productivity. And part of the reason for that is the support we’ve had from Ficep.”

More information www.ficep.co.uk

When The Expanded Metal Co recognised that its costs for external subcontract laser cutting services were escalating in line with output, the Hartlepool-based manufacturer investigated the market for a fibre laser cutter to help manage costs and enhance process control. The solution arrived in the shape of a Lincoln Electric Linc-Cut 1530A 6 kW fibre laser cutting machine from Kerf Developments.

Recalling the situation, Ryan Pinder, operations manager and head of continuous improvement at ExMesh, says: “Our laser cutting costs were climbing, and production schedules worked on min-max order levels with our supplier. It had to change. We looked at 8 to 10 laser manufacturers and did our due diligence. Part of this included visiting the MACH 2024 exhibition, where we talked to a contact at Lincoln Electric, which was sharing a stand with UK agent Kerf Developments.”

He continues: “This was our first laser purchase, so we needed support and reassurance as we leapt into the unknown. The Kerf team put us at ease and emphasised their level of support, and they couldn’t have been more supportive during demonstrations. We switched our original requirement from a 3 kW to a 6 kW   laser cutter to future-proof our business, and Kerf introduced us to the Lincoln Electric Linc-Cut 1530A.

“While we have to build labour and consumable costs into our ROI projections, we’re already using the machine for much more than originally intended – meaning it will pay for itself in the very near future.”

Concludes Pinder: “With the Linc-Cut 1530A, we’re now in charge of our destiny, and we’re already receiving more bespoke subcontract jobs from existing customers.”

More information www.kerfdevelopments.com