Following record-breaking success in 2012, fabrication machinery specialist Amada UK is predicting even greater things for 2013, a year that will see an investment of £5 million in the complete refurbishment of the UK customer facilities at Kidderminster.
Amada UK has many reasons to celebrate 2012. Not least, the company saw consolidated turnover top £51 million for the first time ever. However, not content to rest on this clear endorsement of Amada's existing technologies, the EuroBlech 2012 exhibition in Hanover providing the launch platform for no less than 11 global products.
Year of Innovation
Among the new product introductions were: the FLW series of robotic fibre laser welding systems which are fully programmable off-line; the FLC3015 AJ linear drive fibre laser cutting system; and the latest addition to Amada's punch/laser combination machines range, the ACIES 2515T.
Amada also launched the latest expansion of its press brake range, the high speed, high accuracy EG series with state-of-the-art dual AC servo electric drive ram system, touch screen control and software systems. The first UK installations of these solutions will take place during the second quarter of 2013.
Skills of the Future
Investing in future skills was another area of focus at Amada UK last year - the apprentice scheme now has 12 engineers, which along with a total staff complement of 150 means that the company's customers now benefit from the largest support organisation ever. Furthermore, company apprentice, Tom Preen, won the Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year award 2012 and Amada UK became Worcestershire Employer of the Year.
Beyond UK shores, the company also reports impressive levels of success in Spain, a market for which Amada UK took responsibility in 2010. Since the merger there has been a 30% expansion of the Spanish organisation and turnover has tripled.
The icing on the cake last year was the launch of a new look Amada UK website, which is now regularly updated with more news, machine information, video and customer case studies than ever before. Increased visitor numbers to the site provide confirmation that the changes are being well received.
£5 Million Refurbishment
This year, however, will see a development that could arguably top all of the success enjoyed in 2012, namely the redevelopment of the UK customer facilities. Ground-breaking commenced in December 2012, and when complete, the project will see the existing Machine Tool Plaza updated to become a fully interactive Technical Centre. Temporarily, the showroom has been relocated to an adjacent building, although Amada still offers 1,200 sq m of machinery space for daily demonstrations. This, alongside the company's network of Technical Centres in Europe, means it will be business as usual throughout 2013.
The aim of the refurbishment is to provide an even better experience for Amada customers and visitors, with an expanded solutions showroom, enhanced meeting areas and interactive facilities for both software and tooling. Visitors will soon be able to enjoy the very latest in sheet metal technology within a welcoming and comfortable environment that is conducive to knowledge-sharing. What's more the renovated facility will be extremely eco-friendly, boasting minimal carbon footprint due to the installation of the latest sustainable technology in lighting, heating and insulation.
"Despite what can only be described as resounding success in 2012, the ethos here is to keep pushing forwards," says Amada UK's Managing Director, Alan Parrott. "This investment by Amada Group in the refurbishment of our UK facilities is a clear message that we are putting our customers first. Coming to an environment befitting of the technology and expertise on offer is of prime importance. We want to make every visit to Amada UK one to remember."
For further information please contact:
Cathryn Morris
01562 749500
info@amada.co.uk
www.amada.co.uk
