KASTO Backs “Make it in Britain”
Despite the political wrangling over the past few years and the
consequent business uncertainty, the UK remains a strong and
successful market for Kasto, according to Ernst Wagner, who
runs the German manufacturer’s subsidiary in Milton Keynes.
Over the years, Kasto has sold more than
1,400 bandsaws and circular saws into the UK
and southern Ireland, from job shop models
to production saws for processing all types of
material from aluminium to nickel alloys and
titanium.
In addition, in the same markets the company has
an installed base of over 30 automated material
storage systems, designed to move long stock and
sheet metal from the floor or cantilever racking into
space-efficient, computer-controlled towers. Systems
range from stand-alone units to integrated storage
facilities with full material traceability. All promote
high density 3D storage as well as operator safety and
efficient manufacturing through timely delivery of
material to production machines.
Mr Wagner commented, “The economy of the United
Kingdom is highly developed and market-orientated.
It is currently the sixth largest in the world measured
by gross domestic product (GDP) and ninth largest
for manufacturing, which accounts for 11 per cent
of gross value added (GVA) and employs 2.7 million
people directly plus many more in supply chains and
services.
“Its crucial importance and contribution to the
economy is the reason Kasto in the UK is supporting
the motto ‘Make it in Britain’ as we go into the New
Year and in the run-up to the MACH 2020 show in
Birmingham next April.
“Admittedly the machine tool sector’s performance
has softened of late, but it is happening globally.
Whenever it comes out of a downturn it is always
stronger, leaner and achieves a higher turnover when
it reaches the next peak. Hopefully 2020 will show
the first signs of that process, aided by the legendary
grit of the British people.”
He added that it is Kasto’s intention to be part of the
turnaround and went on to outline what benefits
the company is able to bring in terms of practical
solutions.
First is service and support for all Kasto customers,
existing and new, throughout Britain and Ireland,
underpinned by six strategically located service
engineers. He pointed also to the augmented reality
remote troubleshooting and maintenance system,
VisualAssistance, which can often make an engineer’s
visit unnecessary. Until now it has been conducted
online from the German headquarters and factory,
but the same service is now being phased in via the
Milton Keynes subsidiary following the company’s
6 TUBE NEWS December 2019