Recent editorials written and placed by Energi...
On-Shoring Creates Demand for Qualified Engineers
Right said Fred - Norfolk Engineering On The Way Up
The Picasso Inkjet CD Printer Continues to Beat off The Competition
On-Shoring Creates Demand for Qualified Engineers
A few years ago, 'out-sourcing' was a trendy term. Today, the new the new term seems to be 'On-shoring'. On-Shoring is the name being given to the recent trend of manufacturers looking to source components within the UK as opposed to low cost economies such as China or Eastern Europe. Engineering companies are reporting that many contracts are returning to the UK, so much so, that UK engineering companies are now struggling to recruit suitably qualified precision engineers.
sheet metal engineer at Hitec in Soham
During the past two years, many manufacturing companies have started to realise that sourcing abroad can incur many hidden costs. Such issues as air travel for supplier meetings, large minimum volumes, long lead times and quality issues can all impact the commercial performance of a manufacturer, not to mention the time and energy required to manage such a long distance relationship. In some cases, it is thought that environmental concerns are also starting to influence how companies go about sourcing components. As a result of these realisations and changing values, many UK manufacturers are reviewing their out-sourcing strategies and opting for the more flexible and controllable relationship of an on-shore supplier.
Companies such as Hitec Sheet Metal based in Soham, Cambridgeshire, are seeing the direct benefits of this trend and welcome this return of fortune for the engineering sector.
"2006 was a great year for us, we picked up several new clients," said John Stevenson, Managing Director of Hitec. "2007 looks set to be an even better year and we are certainly on the look-out for talented and motivated engineers to help us grow the company. We know for sure that some of the business we are winning has been previously placed in the Far East, so it's great to know that UK manufacturers are beginning to realise the commercial benefits of using a local supplier."
John Stevenson, MD of Hitec (right) Roger Hunter, MD of Thomas Swan (left)
Hitec are not alone in their search for engineers; Ladbrook Engineering, who manufacture pressed metal parts are also looking to recruit such engineering expertise as toolmaking. Ladbrook too are experiencing a period of growth, having closed some recent long term contracts within the window manufacturing industry and the automotive sector.
"We are on the look out for talented engineering staff," said Mike Blowers, Managing Director of Ladbrook. "We are mainly looking for engineers that have a passion for the subject and are also looking to grow their technical knowledge and understanding of engineering. The future is looking very bright for us and we are very aware that this success will depend on the quality of the team we have in place, here at Ladbrook."
Acro engineering, a company that specialises in high precision turned parts, is also looking to buy in new machinery to meet this upsurge in demand. "Yes, it's been a very good year and we also think that manufacturers are starting to appreciate the value and quality of British engineering," said Fred Pain, General Manager at Acro. "We've even been doing work for the oil industry in Norway, so its good to know that UK engineering is back on top."
Fred Pain, MD of Acro Precision Technology
The on-shoring trend is not just impacting the precision engineering sector, it is also having an effect on industry sectors such as electronic manufacturing. Contract electronics manufacturer, Barric, in Diss Norfolk, is currently working on a large project that had previously been outsourced to a low wage economy and they are also looking to grow their engineering team to meet the current demand.
"We are currently manufacturing a product that was being made in Eastern Europe," said Mike Bayley, Director for Business Development at Barric. "The UK owners of the product came to us because they had suffered from recurrent quality issues that involved the managers in a lot of air travel. Since we have been working with this company we have advised them of several design changes that have not only improved quality but have also improved production rates. It's very good to see manufacturers starting to value UK engineering once again."
About Hitec
Hitec provides precision fabrication and machining services to the European technology sector. Using a wide range of modern CNC machinery and specialist laser cutting technology, Hitec is able to provide technology companies with all they need to achieve the mechanical aspects of their design. From the prototype stage, right through to final production, Hitec has proven again and again that it has the expertise, the technology and the communication to work closely with its customers, enabling those customers to deliver excellent technology. http://www.hitec.co.uk Contact John Stevenson
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. 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. Contact Mike Blowers
http://www.ladbrook-pressed-metal.co.uk
About Acro Precision Technology
Established over 30 years ago for the machining of precision engineering components, Acro represents one of Europe's leading suppliers of turned parts to the engineering and technology sector. Acro offers specialist low volume prototype development as well as high volume manufacturing and is equipped with a broad range of modern machines. Customer projects have included components for sports cars suspensions, bomb disposal robots, hospital beds, forecourt petrol pumps, the London Underground, equipment for off-shore oil exploration and production and components for the construction industry.
www.acro-eng.co.uk Contact Fred Pain
About Barric
Barric manufacture electronic products for large and small companies across the world. With 20 years of experience, investment and success, Barric are very much leaders in this field. Equipped with the latest surface mount manufacturing equipment, hi-tech inspection technology and a team of expert engineers, Barric works closely with ‘cutting edge’ development companies from early stage design right through to volume shipment. Whether it is simply the production of electronic assemblies or complete product manufacture, Barric provides one of the best facilities available in Europe. http://www.barric.co.uk Contact Mike Bayley
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Right said Fred - Norfolk Engineering On The Way Up
Since the oil boom of the 70's, engineering has played an important role in the Norfolk economy. During the 80's, UK engineering took a severe dip and recent years have seen manufacturing jobs being lost to the cheaper economies of the Far East and Eastern Europe. However, today, this work is coming home once again and Norfolk engineering companies are feeling the benefit.
"We have just quoted on a job for 150,000 parts that have previously been made in China," said Fred Pain, Manager of Acro Engineering, based at Catfield. "Manufacturers are starting to realise how difficult it can be to guarantee consistent quality and delivery from suppliers that are so far away. Also, there are long lead times, letters of credit to arrange, customs issues and regular long haul flights. The "on-shoring" of parts is a trend we are seeing and it is definitely picking up pace."
Acro manufacture high volume turned and machine parts and have been in business for over 30 years. Running highly automated 24 hour unmanned CNC machines, Acro are able to compete on the world market and provide parts for the technology sector, architectural supplies, medical and a broad range of other industry sectors.
"We have a policy of investing in the very best equipment available and the best engineers," said Fred. "This gives us the best quality machining and the best productivity, this is how we are competing for the work that is returning to the UK. We are also picking up new projects from the growing UK technology sector and this is equally exciting."
Acro landed their first export contract last year, with the shipment of precision parts for the Norwegian oil industry. Their more recent orders have been for high quality stainless steel components for the architectural sector and CNC machined parts for airport security swipe card equipment.
Another Norfolk engineering company that is enjoying similar growth is Ladbrook Engineering of North Walsham. Ladbrook specialise in pressing metal parts for a range of industries and is currently enjoying considerable success. They have recently announced a major new contract with Parker Hannifin, a global manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems.
"It definitely feels that Norfolk engineering is making a comeback," said Mike Blowers, Managing Director of Ladbrook. "This past year or two has been so encouraging, we now have ambitious plans to grow the company and make substantial investments in new equipment. I think the business sector lost sight of how good a service UK engineering can provide and now they have tried the competition, they are once again happy to place the work here in the UK."
Over in Diss, electronics manufacturer, Barric, have a similar story to tell. Barric are also seeing an increase in new enquiries, exciting new opportunities and the opportunity for growth. Barric have been manufacturing electronics for over 20 years and have been an important employer in the Diss region.
"The level of new enquiries and new projects coming on stream is very encouraging," said Patrick Kibble, Financial Director of Barric. "We've worked hard in recent years to improve our technology, our expertise and our systems. We've also worked on our branding and our overall message to the technology sector. This is all paying off and we are now looking to expand and take on further staff."
With recently improved local infrastructure, Norfolk engineering companies look set to gain a bigger share of the growing UK engineering business, bringing more jobs, training and wealth to the region. It is also possible that with access to Europe becoming ever more easy, it may be that Norfolk could find itself leading a return to the days of the exporting of British engineering.
About Acro Precision Technology
Established over 30 years ago for the machining of precision engineering components, Acro represents one of Europe's leading suppliers of turned parts to the engineering and technology sector. Acro offers specialist low volume prototype development as well as high volume manufacturing and is equipped with a broad range of modern machines. Customer projects have included components for sports cars suspensions, bomb disposal robots, hospital beds, forecourt petrol pumps, the London Underground, equipment for off-shore oil exploration and production and components for the construction industry. www.acro-eng.co.uk Contact Fred Pain, General Manager
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. 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.
www.ladbrook-pressed-metal.co.uk Contact Mike Blowers, MD
About Barric
Barric manufacture electronic products for large and small companies across the world. With 20 years of experience, investment and success, Barric are very much leaders in this field. Equipped with the latest surface mount manufacturing equipment, hi-tech inspection technology and a team of expert engineers, Barric works closely with ‘cutting edge’ development companies from early stage design right through to volume shipment. Whether it is simply the production of electronic assemblies or complete product manufacture, Barric provides one of the best facilities available in Europe. http://www.barric.co.uk Contact Mike Bayley, Director of Business Development.
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The Picasso CD Printer Continues to Beat off The Competition
The CD remains a very special media. In itself it might cost as little 3p but once decorated with print and loaded with digital information it can be worth 500 times more. In fact, when a CD is used to store hi-tech software, a single CD can be sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds. With this in mind, it's easy to understand why CD duplication and printing offers printers such good margins.
Copytrax, a leading manufacturer and supplier of CD duplication and printing technology, claim that many of their Picasso CD printing machines have paid for themselves within four months.
“The Picasso was developed to be highly automated, so that they can be left running unattended,” said Steve Woods, Managing Director of Copytrax. “In addition to this, they have also been developed to absolutely minimise long term ink costs and provide the best quality. It's this combination of features that has made the Picasso a worldwide success.”
Copytrax have been supplying print companies around the world with CD duplication and print technology. They can provide CD duplication machines, CD printing machines and a UV coating machine that helps protect the artwork from damage and enhances finish. Their Picasso and Art Coater machines are leaders in their field and have been responsible for the creation of many millions of CD's around the world.
“There are a lot of CD printing machines to choose from,” said Steve. “Many of these are quite low cost and look attractive at first glance, but if you're thinking of making CD printing a part of your business, then you need to think about long term ink usage, how machine wear might affect print quality, colour matching technology, level of automation and technical support - these kind of things. The Picasso and Artcoater are not cheap machines but we consider that they offer the very best return on investment and the highest quality. Many of our customers actually run several Picasso's.”
Demand for CD duplication and printing remains very healthy. Once only the domain of music, CD's are now used to store high value commercial software, promotional brochures, promotional videos and computer games. Budgets for these kinds of projects tend to run much higher than those for printed material.
“CD duplication and printing is definitely an option for printers,” said Steve Woods. “The Picasso takes up very little space. It's automated, so there is minimal labour required and offering this service will also create many print opportunities for inserts and casing designs.”
Two key features that put the Picasso ahead of the competition are it's Infinity Bulk Ink system that enables continuous use and reduced ink costs and its advanced Colour Management software that enables rapid colour matching and reduces over-inking. The Artcoater is a small format, automated, machine that rapidly coats printed CD's with a protective UV finish. Artcoater machines have been shipped worldwide over the past 5 years and have gained a reputation for providing quality finishing and its reliable performance.
More details about the Picasso can be found at www.copytrax.com
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