"We are very pleased to be working with Ladbrook to help them grow their metal spinning business," said Richard Blackburn, Managing Director of Energi. "Ladbrook are very capable and very passionate engineers, so it always feels good to market a such a quality service. We feel that Ladbrook represents the very best of British engineering and it's good to see them growing and investing 70 years on, since it all started."

Ladbrook have manufactured parts for products used in industries such as water heating systems, medical, building, railway, and the refrigeration industry. Over the past two years they have particularly benefited from the trend that has seen engineering work return from the Far East back to the UK due to customer service, delivery, quality and environmental issues.

"Over the past few years we have benefited greatly from Energi's marketing expertise; they have helped us win new customers to grow the press metal side of our business," said Paul Goodman, Production Director at Ladbrook. "At Energi, they understand both the technology and our customer base, so we feel very confident that they will be key to helping us attract new contracts from within the UK, and also abroad, for the metal spinning business."

Metal Spinning is a metal forming technique used to create conical and cylindrical shapes. As the metal is spun on a high-speed axis, it is shaped using computer controlled tools. An important aspect of metal spinning is that the material hardens as it is worked; this feature of metal spinning enables the manufacture of thinner, yet stronger components. In addition to this important engineering benefit, there are important commercial benefits in that less material is required and set up costs are low.

"Metal spinning is a process that is closely related to Ladbrook's core business of pressed metal parts," said Richard Blackburn. "With the new machine and the additional expertise Ladbrook will be able to provide a broader and more competitive service for both existing and new customers and they will also be able to handle more complex designs and a higher throughput."

Ladbrook have a strategy of growth based on a sound financial platform and an appreciation of good partnerships with their suppliers and customers. During 2008, Ladbrook anticipates further growth as a result of landing several long-term projects. They attribute their success and longevity to their passion for engineering along with their willingness to embrace new technology and an understanding of what their customers expect, which includes quality control systems and high quality production methods.

About Ladbrook

For the past 70 years Ladbrook Engineering & Manufacturing Company Limited have been working with manufacturers around the world, providing them with the best expertise available in the manufacturing field of metal parts and assemblies. Today, they are able to provide high volume production as well as low volume pre-production and prototype samples. Ladbrook have their own patented products and with a capacity for more than 150 million pressed metal parts per year and a broad range of automated machinery, they are well equipped to provide manufacturers with the best of British engineering at world market pricing.

http://www.ladbrook-metal-spinning.co.uk

Paul Goodman (Manufacturing Director)

paulgoodman@ladbrookuk.com

Tel: +44 (0) 1692 402156

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Ladbrook Wins New Business in the Medical and Scientific Sector

North Walsham based Ladbrook Engineering are celebrating important recent successes in both the scientific and medical industries.

Ladbrook have been working closely with a worldwide provider of surgical operating equipment, helping to develop the metalwork for a new lighting technology that will soon be going into large-scale production. In addition to this, they have started supplying specialist components use in the manufacture of scientific equipment.

Over the past 70 years, this family owned business has supplied components for everything from power-showers to power-stations but these recent projects are Ladbrook's first break into the medical and scientific sectors.

Paul Goodman, Manufacturing Director of Ladbrook

"The operating theatre lighting project is high quality, high value engineering," said Paul Goodman, Manufacturing Director at Ladbrooks. "It's been a challenging and exciting project and it's good to hear that it's going into production and that trials have been a great success. Our current business strategy is to broaden our customer base and further develop our specialist precision metal spinning services, so breaking into the medical sector with such a high profile project is a great success for us."

Metal Spinning is a powerful metal forming technique used to create conical and cylindrical shapes. As the metal is spun on a high speed axis, it is shaped, either by hand or by using computer controlled tools. An important aspect of metal spinning is that the material hardens as it is worked, this feature of metal spinning enables the manufacture of thinner, yet stronger components. In addition to this important engineering benefit, there are important commercial benefits in that less material is required and it does not incur the tooling costs associated with the alternative pressed metal approach.

"Towards the end of last year we invested in the very latest metal spinning technology," said Paul Goodman. "Being highly automated, it delivers both high throughput and extremely consistent quality. This advanced metal spinning technology has recently helped us win several high volume projects, supplying companies in the scientific sector. The feedback, regarding the quality and delivery times, has been very positive. So much so, we are now in discussion with these new customers regarding further new projects. Again, this is not one of our traditional markets, so for us, this is another great breakthrough and a very exciting way to start 2008."

Over the past few years, companies such as Ladbrook have faced a turbulent business environment due to volatile metal prices, aggressive competition from countries such as China and India and also the consolidation and decline of some traditional markets.

“Increasingly buyers are looking for the complete packages and that means Ladbrook are ideally suited to these expanding markets,” commented Mike Blowers, Managing Director of Ladbrook.”

Ladbrook reported a successful year during 2007 winning significant contracts due to what they regard as competitive pricing and excellent service and have set ambitious goals for 2008.

"Yes, it's not always been easy, we've had a lot of changes to deal with," said Mike. "You could say, it's kept us on our toes! However, we anticipated many of the issues and, in retrospect, we made some good decisions regarding our business direction, investment in machinery and in maintaining the quality of the top class engineering team we have here at Ladbrook."

About Ladbrook

For the past 70 years Ladbrook Engineering & Manufacturing Company Limited have been working with manufacturers around the world, providing them with the best expertise available in the field of pressed metal parts and metal spinning based components. Today, they are able to provide high volume production as well as low volume pre-production and prototype samples. With a capacity for more than 150 million pressed metal parts per year and a broad range of automated machinery, they are well equipped to provide manufacturers with the best of British engineering at world market pricing.

http://www.ladbrook-pressed-metal.co.uk

http://www.ladbrook-metal-spinning.co.uk

Ladbrook Contact:

Paul Goodman

p.goodman@ladbrookuk.com

Tel: +44 (0) 1692 402156

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