A Redditch-based metal pressing and stamping specialist is reaping the benefits of a sustained investment drive with a £500,000 order boost.
Pre-Met, which employs 64 people at its Studley Road factory, has maximised increases in capacity and the ability to produce larger, heavier parts to win higher volumes and make new inroads into automotive, aerospace and defence.
The addition of the AgieCharmilles wire erosion machine has played a key role in this and will be joined by a Cincinnati Milacron 75-tonne press and automated feed that will help the business cope with growing demand and a strong pipeline of potential orders.
Four new supervisory and maintenance roles have been created as a result, with the firm still looking for a further power press setter and a toolmaker.
“We have worked really hard to identify new markets and how we can strengthen how we support existing customers,” explained James Leng, Managing Director of Pre-Met.
“It’s an approach that has started to pay off, with six wins across automotive, aerospace, defence and rail. In fact, the latter has seen us take on larger, more complex work for a long-term client that was only made possible by the investment and process improvements we’ve made.”
He continued: “With so many external pressures on industry, it’s a sign the team we’ve got can respond and find ways to make savings, work smarter and, through additional machinery, secure new orders.”
Operating from Redditch since 1973, Pre-Met originally made high-value pens, cufflinks and telecommunication parts, with today’s company evolving into a critical, quality-assured supplier to aerospace, defence, mobility, medtech, construction, electrical and transport sectors, shipping its components to customers across the world.
The company, which has recently signed up to the aerospace, defence and security supplier qualification JOSCAR, has spent the last twelve months integrating the acquisition of Quality Springs & Pressings facility into its Studley Road site.
This prompted a significant re-organisation, modernisation of the toolroom and the start of several process improvement activities that have reduced costs and waste.
James picked up the story: “Quality is a big part of what we do, and we are currently triple accredited for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 (environmental) and IATF 16949 (automotive).
“The performance goes way beyond getting the standards. It’s all about the culture we instil and the desire from everyone in the business to deliver right first-time parts to customers.”
He concluded: “This has seen us achieve an overall PPM score of 99.64% with zero defects in automotive and rail. The trust this generates is significant with our global client base.”
For further information, please visit www.metalpressingsandstampings.co.uk or follow the company across its social media channels.
