At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic the focus was on ventilators, but as things developed testing became the priority of Government. Step forward Atherstone-based Shield Marquee Manufacturing. While its usual customer base, the hospitality industry, continues to face strict restrictions, Shield Marquees became part of the marquee hire industry’s National Emergency Testing Stations Network (NETS). Working with the Government, NETS has been central in supplying the network of test centres for COVID-19 with temporary structures. The demand for a quick response, however, placed significant pressure on Shield Marquee’s manufacturing capability.

“With every structure containing multiple machined components, such as leg and ridge knuckles, we found that our existing machine capacity was limited, and the volumes we were asked to produce were leading to backlogs,” says director Matthew Faizey.

While speed was crucial, Faizey was cautious and carried out due diligence online of a select group of machine-tool suppliers, with XYZ Machine Tools coming out on top.

“If I’m going to spend a significant amount of money, I want to do my research and check on a supplier’s viability, history, reputation and ability to support my business,” he says. “XYZ Machine Tools impressed in all respects. In particular, was the knowledge that we could get support in terms of service and programming very quickly, as we can’t afford for the machine to be down for any length of time.”

With that reassurance and time ticking away, Faizey contacted XYZ Machine Tools at 09:30 on a Friday morning. XYZ’s area sales manager jumped in his car and by lunchtime the order was placed and paid for. The following Tuesday the machine, an XYZ 1000 LR vertical machining centre, was delivered, commissioned and ready for production.

For further information
www.xyzmachinetools.com

Hardinge plans to shift the manufacturing of its machining centre and turning centre solutions from the Hardinge Taiwan plant to its facility in Elmira, New York, USA. This strategic manufacturing transition condenses product development, supply chain and assembly operations for the company’s American and European turning and milling business to a single US-based location. Hardinge will now supply customers with a stronger line of milling and turning products assembled in the USA.

The company will be repatriating the manufacturing of its Bridgeport XR series of vertical machining centres and the Hardinge Talent series of turning products. Hardinge is modernising its Elmira facility, investing significant resources in new assembly capabilities, as well as state-of-the-art heat-treatment equipment. Following the transition, the Taiwan location will continue to operate as one of Hardinge’s regional sales and fulfilment facilities, as well as a global engineering centre supporting the needs of international customers.

For further information www.hardinge.com

A survey about how coronavirus has affected the perceptions of cleanliness and hygiene in manufacturing workplaces has been conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Kimberly-Clark Professional, showing that 86% would avoid a facility if they did not think it was COVID-secure. Moreover, only 31% think hygiene practices in factories are currently adequate.

Kimberly-Clark Professional has introduced its 360˚ Hygiene & Protection programme to help businesses get back on their feet and restore confidence. A free no-obligation ‘Virtual Hygiene Walk’, which can be booked using the link below, reviews a facility and provides expert guidance on cleaning and hygiene protocols, recommending the right product solutions to tackle key hygiene hotspots.

For further information https://is.gd/malewo

The UK’s oldest hot-dip galvaniser is bouncing back from COVID-19 disruption after it processed a record amount of steel from one plant in a single month. Corbetts the Galvanizers used downtime in the summer to improve productivity and modernise processes, and this paid off with nearly £1m of orders completed in October.

Celebrating 160 years in business in 2020, the Telford-based company processed 34% more volume than the same time last year for customers involved in the street furniture, transport and construction sectors. “This is a phenomenal achievement by our workforce and highlights growing optimism in our sector,” says Sophie Williams, the company’s finance director and general manager.

For further information
www.wcorbett.co.uk

AJ Engineering is expanding its premises in a £2.5m investment over the next three years that will allow the firm to more than double its production capabilities and employ more staff. The company has expanded its Forres-based manufacturing sites by adding 4.7 acres through the acquisition of neighbouring land owned previously by Moray Council. Existing buildings at the former sawmill site at Waterford will be refurbished and a new automated fabrication facility installed.

Owned by Alan James, the company currently employs approximately 80 staff over the existing Greshop Industrial sites at Forres, including seven apprentices. However, the expansion plans means that the next three years will see the creation of up to 36 jobs. Phase one is to refurbish the existing buildings at Waterford and purchase and commission a cut and drill line. Phase two will be the installation of an automatic shotblaster, while the third phase will see the arrival of a plate processor.

For further information www.ajengineering.co.uk