EDITOR ’ S CHOICE £ 1M INVESTMENT
BPL ENGINEERING GROUP
BPL Engineering Group turns up the volume with £ 1m Worcester Presses investment
A £ 1m investment in a new press line is helping one of the UK ’ s leading sheet metalwork specialists diversify into larger projects and volumes .
From left , Matt Adams ( BPL Engineering Group ) and Russell
Hartill ( Worcester Presses )
BPL Engineering Group ( BPL ) has strengthened its strategic partnership with Worcester Presses by installing a 600-tonne Yeh Chiun hydraulic press - one of the largest it has ever commissioned .
The decision , which follows the resounding success of the 300t H-Frame press purchased four years ago , gives the Kings Norton-based firm access to a machine that offers an increased bed size ( 2500mmx1500mm ), crucial for going after stampings destined for the automotive , aerospace , rail and other sectors .
Worcester Presses has also installed remote monitoring in addition to its industry-leading maintenance and service package , helping minimise downtime by providing swift and efficient diagnostics .
“ Our expertise lies in supplying stampings and assemblies to OEMs like Jaguar Land Rover , Lotus and Aston Martin , ranging from prototype projects to production volumes ,” explained Matt Adams , Operations Director at BPL Engineering Group .
“ This complete service has seen sales increase rapidly past £ 6m and this latest collaboration with Worcester Presses gives us additional capacity and a larger world class press to take on different types of work .”
He continued : “ The machine , which was installed as part of a three-month factory reconfiguration project , allows us to target larger stampings in various material grades , including aluminium , mild streel , structural steel , stainless steel , brass and copper .”
Worcester Presses has experienced similar demand for its expertise , utilising its track record for developing long-term relationships with manufacturing subcontractors across the UK .
Employing 14 people at its Crescent Park Industrial Estate site in Dudley , the company has seen sales for its range of hydraulic / mechanical presses and ancillary equipment rise by more than 50 % since lockdown eased .
A large part of this growth has come from the firm ’ s ability to ‘ bespoke ’ its standard equipment range to suit customer need and offering complete packages in a matter of months from initial order , not to mention its expansive spares and repairs service .
Russell Hartill , Managing Director of Worcester Presses , was delighted with the faith BPL Engineering Group has put in its capabilities .
“ The 600-tonne Yeh Chiun is some press , delivering massive power , superb accuracy and repeatable quality , ideal for the type of work BPL Engineering Group specialise in and new projects it is starting to diversify into .
“ Matt and his team had already seen the performance of the 300-tonne first-hand and recognised the potential a much larger press could give them , approaching our engineers to look at how we could tailor the machine to match specific requirements .
“ This was all done in a matter of months and then we supported a major factory re-organisation to accommodate the new press , all whilst keeping the company supplying its domestic and international customer base .”
BPL Engineering Group has invested heavily in its 25,000 sq ft facility on Catesby Park , offering customers access to toolmaking , press work , 5-axis laser cutting , fabrication , robotic welding , assembly and inspection services .
For further information , please visit www . birminghamprototypes . co . uk or www . worcesterpresses . co . uk
96 PECM Issue 55