FOCUS ON METALFORMING
PICKING UP THE PACE
“ Watson Gym Equipment has carved itself an important niche in the rapidly growing personal fitness sector around the world .”
Simon Watson , owner and director of Watson Gym Equipment , with the 6kW OPTIPLEX NEXUS 3015 FIBER laser cutting system featuring the KST automation system .
Mazak machining and laser cutting systems , with Jean Perrot bending technology , make light work of heavy weights at Watson Gym Equipment in the UK .
Simon Watson vividly remembers the moment he made his decision to buy his first laser processing machine . “ I used to have an office that overlooked the workshop , and I could see all our welders spending most of their time cutting steel and drilling holes , rather than welding . I knew then that we needed to get our skilled people doing what they are paid to do ,” he said .
Simon is the owner and director of Watson Gym Equipment , a premium supplier of exercise machines , dumbbells , barbells and weight benches . The UK company , which was set up in rural Somerset in 1999 , has evolved to become one of the most well-known brands in the personal fitness industry .
Today , it supplies standard and customised gym equipment to high-end customers , commercial gyms , smaller personal gyms and celebrities . Around 78 people work for Watson Gym Equipment . Its two main factories in Frome ( near Bath ) are joined by a bridge and cover a total area of 40,000 square feet . It also has a separate upholstering factory for its gym products .
ANIMAL dual-stack chest press manufactured by Watson Gym Equipment .
Moving machining in-house
“ I ’ ve always had a twin passion for both fitness and engineering ,” explained Simon . “ I was originally a welder by trade , so I started making some quite simple gym equipment in my spare time . All I had was an abrasive wheel , cut-off saw , a grinder , my welder and a sewing machine for doing the upholstery . I would take the finished equipment to local
106 | ismr . net | ISMR October 2023