MACHINING & MACHINERY
CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY
BARNSHAW
IS YOUR METAL SUPPLIER FUTURE-FIT
FOR THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY?
To satisfy demand for higher productivity
and yields, agricultural equipment is
becoming more advanced and complex. This
extra demand placed on original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) translates directly to
the supply chain, especially those providing
structural and functional metal components.
Curved metal plate, section and tube is one
category where a greater awareness of what
advanced suppliers now provide can make a
difference.
Stuart Anderson, Sales Manager at
Barnshaws Section Benders, regarded as one
of the world’s most capable metal bending
companies, explains why capability and
capacity is the new king in future-proofing
the metal supply chain.
One of the most important aspects of a
reliable, lean supply chain is its flexibility
i.e. its ability to respond to spikes or falls in
demand. While this is important for many
suppliers to the agricultural industry, when
it comes to commodities such as metal
components, it is even more so.
Even for a specialist service, such as metal
bending, continual investment by the
supplier is incredibly important. Press
braked steel, for example, is often used
to manufacture the chassis for powered
agricultural equipment. Barnshaws offers the
capability to form sheet metal at 12 metres
long using multiple press machines up to
1000 tonnes.
Chutes, pipes, arms and chassis members
on towed equipment can all be formed
from tube that has undergone mandrel or
Chutes, pipes, arms and chassis members on
towed equipment can all be formed from tube
that has undergone induction bending to
improve the shape or performance.
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PECM Issue 39
To ensure the flexibility needed to meet the demands of future production operations, suppliers of
metal fabrications need to be investing in both capacity and personnel.
(Source: Istock Copyright: GordanD ID: 174243147)
induction bending to improve the shape or
performance. By investing in more of these
bending machines, suppliers can again grow
with the increased demands of the OEMs.
For example, Barnshaws has invested in the
capability to precision curve pipes up to
32” in diameter, which is much larger than
anything currently seen in the agricultural
sector.
A knock-on effect of this improved capacity
is increased speed of delivery. With a capable
supplier, not only is machine capacity
soaking up fluctuations in the supply chain,
it also means reduced lead times. More
machines in-house translate to increased
fabrication speed, which provides a fast
supply response and is extremely important
in meeting the requirements of just in
time (JIT) manufacturing. When combined
with a metal bending process that already
saves time when compared to welding, this
reduced lead time is compounded.
A wider view
The production volumes of agricultural
vehicles and equipment pale in comparison
to the volumes associated with passenger
vehicles for example, however, as demand
for food rises, so naturally will the amount
of powered and towed equipment being
produced by the OEMs. To be successful
with any large-scale machinery production
activity, it must be supported by a lean,
efficient supply chain, providing innovative
materials that allow design developments to
be realised.
To ensure the flexibility needed to meet the
demands of future production operations,
suppliers of metal fabrications need to be
investing in both capacity and personnel.
When it comes to selecting suppliers for
metal fabrications as an OEM, choosing
a business that continues to invest in its
machine capacity ensures that growth in
demand can be adequately met. This can
provide the extra security required to grow
production activities, while avoiding any
potential bottlenecks and risks to production
uptime.
Barnshaws Steel Bending Group :
Matthew Pritchard
Tel: 0121 557 8261
Web: www.barnshaws.com
Email: matthew.pritchard@
barnshaws.com