Components firm unveils presses

One of the UK's leading industrialists helped a Birmingham precision component manufacturer mark its largest ever investment.

Lord Digby Jones visited Brandauer's Newtown facility as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations and used the occasion to officially commission the company's two new high-speed Bruderer presses that will produce more than two billion parts every year.

The £750,000 investment has the potential to add £2m of new sales to the firm's £9m turnover and increases its ability to offer tool transfer services to clients in the aerospace, automotive, electronics and renewables sectors.

In addition to starting the new machines, Lord Jones also met a number of staff members, including Stuart Berry who has progressed from his apprenticeship to completing a degree in Management of Manufacturing Systems at Birmingham University.

"I was very impressed with what I saw at Brandauer. This is a company that recognises the need to continually improve the way it does business if it is to compete with international rivals," said Lord Jones.

"This latest investment in the new presses is a clear indication of its desire to be the best in the world and I'm delighted to see the same commitment is in place to developing its workforce."

He added: "With nearly 80 per cent of its turnover going overseas, it's a great example of how the West Midlands can still be a global manufacturing force."

The installation of the Bruderer BSTA 510-125B2 and BSTA 280-75B2 is a world first and provides the company with the latest B2 control technology and high-speed precision servo feeds.

David Spears, managing director at Brandauer, said:"At £750,000, this is the largest single investment we have ever made and gives us greater speed, greater quality and greater efficiency to target new sectors.

"We've already won new work that will go straight on the presses, including complex parts for automotive electronics and an alternative fuel cell."