FOCUS ON FABRICATION
The new factory interior for Victor Manufacturing Ltd .
Drop-in heated bain marie from Victor Manufacturing .
Spreading its wings
In 2018 , a management buy-out meant that the company is now owned by Phil Williams , with several of the Williams family working alongside him ( including his wife and children ). Before becoming owner and MD , Phil Williams held the post of managing director , and has over 22 years of service as a Victor employee .
In addition to his duties for Victor , Phil Williams serves as President of EFCEM ( European Federation of Catering Equipment Manufacturers ) following many years as an active member of the council of the FEA ( Foodservice Equipment Association ) UK trade
association . This helps to enable Victor Manufacturing
Phil Williams is the owner of
Victor Manufacturing Ltd . to steer alongside the direction of the industry and keep up to date with new trends and developments in this rapidly changing market .
The company relocated towards the end of 2020 , moving 11 miles from Bradford to the outskirts of Keighley ( Yorkshire , UK ). The new factory site spans over 108,000 square feet , has enabled company expansion and offers a more practical layout of both factory and office block . components , so it has been a challenge acquiring some items from Europe and the Far East . Alternative parts are having to be sourced closer to home , at greater expense .
Taking these difficulties into account , one way to control costs is to maximise efficiency in all areas .
The sheet-metal fabrication division at Victor Manufacturing includes one Bystronic 6kW fibre laser cutting system which has been recently fitted with automation . This includes a storage tower with automatic loading and unloading , which feeds six Bystronic pressbrakes where laser-cut sheets are folded into shape .
The new factory site spans over 108,000 square feet , has enabled company expansion and offers a more practical layout of both factory and office block
“ Upgrading the automation and software and standardising the Bystronic platform has allowed the night shift to run automatically , reducing the number of skilled operators required in this department . The overall capital upgrade has increased capacity dramatically over the past two years ,” Swiss sheet-metal specialist , Bystronic , told ISMR .
“ Choosing us as a supplier has enabled easy control of software and automation and builds on Victor ’ s experience with our team and its historical use of press brakes from the same stable ,” it added .
COVID-19 response
During the COVID-19 pandemic , whilst many
Meeting new challenges
With pressure on fuel and transportation costs , as well as raw materials ( including steel and glass ) subject to extreme buying conditions , it has been difficult to minimise price increases across Victor ’ s product portfolio . Suppliers are facing material shortages and increased lead times for
‘ A line of Bystronic Xpert 40 and Xpert Pro press brakes at Victor Manufacturing Ltd .