Elumatec Helps Solex to Expand
With a steady influx of work from the aluminium market pouring into family run business Solex Manufacturing Ltd, the company has had to greatly step up its productivity to accommodate and fulfil demand, seeing it expand its current operations and significantly benefit from the recent installation of a new SBZ122 profile machining centre onto its factory floor from Elumatec.
Solex
Manufacturing Ltd, based in Washington, Tyne & Wear has been a customer
of Elumatec for over five years. With two manufacturing units in Washington
for the architectural aluminium and industrial door sectors, it can supply
the whole of the UK and has done so, working on projects in Bournemouth
and Inverness at the same time respectively.
The increase in both its reputation and business in the aluminium sector has meant that further investment was required. 'The reason behind our recent purchase of the SBZ122 profile machining centre was the fact we needed to expand the business and we have now moved into a larger factory,' explained Andrew Mersh, Operations Director of Solex Manufacturing. 'When looking to purchase new machinery, and specifically looking into the Elumatec range, we knew from initial demonstrations and time trials that this machine would increase the productivity and accuracy of our operations...and indeed it has.' At the same time of purchasing the SBZ122, Solex invested in a new fully automatic saw that is fed via a link from the production office.
The SBZ122 machining centre has an impeccable reputation amongst the fabrication fraternity for increasing capacity and optimising productivity without compromising quality. This is made possible because the profile can be processed from the front and rear with two different tools by integrating a stationary turning device that allows the adjustment of the rotating angle head for 0° and 180°. The SBZ122 is also deemed the ideal machining centre because of it compact stature and ease of installation.
The role played by the supplier in the preparation, installation and commissioning, is crucial and here Elumatec appears to have ticked all the right boxes. 'The support throughout our process was second to none,' said Andrew. 'This was from the very outset, from meeting the Elumatec team at the exhibitions, bringing the guys to our works to see what we required and the after sales service is superb too with an engineer attending to any problems within 24 hours.'
Solex had considered a number of competitors before choosing Elumatec but believed it had the supplier that offered the best value for money and very easy to use equipment. The benefits are already apparent. After installing the two machines, the accuracy has been within all tolerances and the speed of which the material could be cut, then prepped on the SBZ122 ready for assembly on the shop floor, was reduced by half the time especially on bigger jobs.
'We are delighted with our relationship with Solex and that we are regarded as an integral part of its success story,' said Phil Heavey, Managing Director, Elumatec UK. 'There is no alternative to working closely and effectively with your customer; a policy we are proud to be recognised by.'
