UK NEWS

£2m press investment for SDE Technology

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

DC Norris buys Gilwood

Gareth Harris and Chris Ratten of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed joint administrators of Gilwood (Fabricators) Co Ltd on 1 November 2023 and have secured the sale of the business and its assets to DC Norris & Co in a pre-pack administration deal.
Based in Heywood, Lancashire, Gilwood is a family-run metal fabrication business specialising in pressure vessels and static process plant equipment. The 26-employee company manufactures products for a number of industries including oil and gas, petrochemicals, nuclear, and food and drink. All 26 jobs have been saved as part of the sale.
For further information www.rsmuk.com

New Rhodes Interform contractraisesthe roof

Rhodes Interform, a UK metal-forming machinery specialist, has secured a multi-million-pound contract to manufacture and supply a new mechanical punch press for Zentia, which specialises in complete ceiling solutions at its facilities in Gateshead.

The Rhodes DS2-315 geared press is a double-sided 315 tonne mechanical press, designed with a two-point suspension that allows for a larger working bed area, even distribution of nominal tonnage, and the accommodation of any offset loading. Installation will take place 2024. The entire process, including the design, manufacture, and installation of the press, will be handled by engineers at Rhodes Interform in Wakefield, including the removal of the press currently at the premises in Gateshead.

Mark Ridgway OBE, CEO of Group Rhodes states: ‘’It’s a privilege to supply Zentia with another high-specification metal-forming solution. As a market leader of complete ceiling solutions, Zentia requires the production speed and accuracy that the Rhodes DS2 mechanical press can provide.”

Neil Hunter, engineering and improvement manager at Zentia,adds: “The existing Rhodes press has been in service for 30 years and punched in excess of 300 million square metres of ceiling tile in this time. We’re looking forward to receiving the new increased tonnage press.”

Rhodes Interform is a division of Group Rhodes. Soon to be celebrating its 200th anniversary, the company offers a wide range of hot and cold-forming technologies for specialist metal-forming applications across several sectors. In addition, the company’s composite machinery produces structural components for the aerospace and automotive sectors.
For further information www.grouprhodes.co.uk

Hydraulic presses suit engineering workshops

Machine Mart says that its range of Clarke Hydraulic Presses are ideal for engineering workshops. Eight models are available with pressing capacity ranging from 4 to 50 tonnes.

The best-selling Clarke CSA10BB 10 tonne hydraulic bench press is first choice when users need to tackle smaller pressing jobs, such as repairing small motors or removing and installing gears or bearings. Simple to use and effective, the Clarke CSA10BB requires minimal effort from the user to achieve fast, accurate pressing operations. The press comes with a hydraulic pump, ram with pressure gauge and connecting house. A seven-piece adaptor kit is available separately.

Moving up in capacity, the Clarke CSA20F 20 tonne hydraulic press relies on its heavy-duty welded-frame construction. According to Machine Mart, this press has smooth hydraulic action that ensures the positive and precise application of power to the workpiece for greater control and accuracy.Its 20 tonne capacity and 189mm ram travel also work together to make the CSA20F suitable for larger workpieces.

At the top end of the range is the Clarke CSA50 FPB 50 tonne hydraulic floor press. This standing shop press is suited to professional workshops and comes fitted with a large pressure gauge thatfacilitates accurate and easy reading when applying pressure. Smooth hydraulic action again ensures positive and precise power application, while the model also features both hand and foot operation, as well as a ratchet winch for adjusting the bed height. The CSA50 comes complete with hydraulic pump, ram, hoses, pressure gauge and V blocks. A protective polycarbonate screen is available to buy separately.
For further information www.machinemart.co.uk

Re-launch for AME after £6m revamp

Coventry University’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) has re-launched after a £6m investment. The AME’s ‘Faculty on the Factory Floor’ base in the city is now larger thanks to the huge cash boost, with the new nearly 2000 sq m of space boasting state-of-the-art equipment, new teaching and research facilities, six new laboratories, and a robotics and testing area.

AME was born out of a collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing that delivers teaching excellence andadvanced research. The institute has participated in projects with a total value of £110m and worked with 174 collaborators since its original launch. Its estimated value to the manufacturing and engineering economy since then is £500m and around 400 students have graduated to date.
For further information www.coventry.ac.uk/ame