Andy Street presented with memento by Stuart Talbot, Lee Finch and Mark Wingfield
West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street commissioned new machinery at A&M EDM, precision engineers in Smethwick.
In 2018, A&M invested £750,000 on new equipment which included a 5 Axis Hurco CNC machine, two spark eroders, handheld analyser for alloy identification and laser calibration for preventative maintenance of 22 CNC machining centres. This investment helped propel A&M to record sales in 2018 of £6.1m, a 32 per cent increase from 2017.
Andy Street saw demonstrations of A&M’s CNC machining, quality inspection and spark and wire erosion capabilities. The company’s skilled engineers manufacture prototypes, precision components and tooling for aerospace, automotive, Formula 1 and production assembly customers. The Mayor commissioned the new machining centre and met apprentices at work. He discussed skills development, A&M’s participation in the WMCA Thrive at Work pilot and the role of advanced manufacturing and engineering as the dynamo of the region’s economy.
Andy Street said: “A&M is a dynamic symbol of the West Midlands Economic Strategy in action, as an advanced manufacturing SME committed to sustained investment in new machinery, process innovation, developing apprentices and skills.
A&M demonstrates SMEs can access Government support by working in partnership with LEPs and local authorities.”
This investment was part funded by a £50,000 grant from the Black Country LEP’s Growing Priority Sectors fund, administered by Sandwell Council. The investment saw A&M recruit 10 new staff in 2018, taking the current workforce to 67.
The Mayor was presented with memento of his visit, using A&M’s capabilities in CAD design, turning and CNC milling. Electrodes were wired to cut the lettering and an embossed West Midlands Combined Authority logo was created by spark eroding the shape.
Mark Wingfield, Managing Director of A&M said: “It was a privilege to host the Mayor and discuss the importance of supply chain SMEs to competitive manufacturing in the West Midlands. We achieved record sales over £6m in 2018 and will continue investing in our capabilities, skills and apprentices. We value working in partnership with the public sector; the Growing Priority Sectors grant enabled us to accelerate investment and create new engineering jobs.”
