Presswork manufacturer SMB Pressings has increased its working capacity with investment in a new piece of machinery.
The Cannock company has purchased a new 1300mm Reach 6-Axis Robotic Welder from Olympus Technologies. The state-of-the-art machine offers a clean, neat weld and will enable the company to increase the volume and quality of work it can complete in a day.
Alan Vincent, Production Planning and Customer Operations Director, SMB Pressings, said: “Four months on from placing the order, the robotic welder is now installed and fully operational.
“We’re still getting to grips with it but it’s going to be a valuable addition to our capabilities. It will deal with the more monotonous welding which will help to free up skilled staff for other duties, which will be a major benefit as we’re really busy at the moment.
“We do a lot of work with the washroom industry, together with lockers, extrusions and others. Much of what we do is for local companies but we will look further afield as we’re well located where we are for the wider Midlands area.”
The company employs 22 people on the shopfloor and another eight in the offices but its growing orders has prompted it to expand its workforce.
The company has already recruited one new apprentice - from fellow Made in the Midlands member In-Comm Training - and is looking to take on a second, which it hopes to complete shortly.
The addition of the robotic welder to the company’s range of machines follows the decision taken in 2016 to invest in a new Laser Cutting Machine and Press Brake.
The company’s welding and fabrication work includes benching supports for the leisure sector, brackets and framework for modular buildings, staging and guard rails for the utilities sector, seating for the healthcare sector, garden furniture, street furniture, cabinets, bicycle and smoking shelters, and work benches.
Fabrication work includes ductwork, air handling units, louvred panels and general sheet metal work.