AddisonMckee Cuts Costs Not Corners with New Machine


Global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of the world's finest tube
bending and endforming technologies, AddisonMckee of Bamber Bridge, Lancs., has
manufactured a new eB 80 ES RB model machine for supply to Dinex in China. The
new machine represents a significant alternative to the existing world renowned
DB 75 machine: in everything, that is, but cost.

A major boost

A key to reducing the cost of the new machine lay in removing the ball screw
providing the boost and allowing the gearbox and motor instead to provide the force
required for boosting. Hence the new machine enables freeform bending for the full
length of the bed!

A model of modular flexibility

Given the cost of floorspace at any facility, the new machine's modular design also
has significant benefits if bed length flexibility is important. The standard machine
itself is two metres long but offers the capability to increase in length by bolting two sections together to extend the bed when required, converting the machine easily
and cheaply to a three/four metre model etc.

The Mark 7 (Amega) control system: a further mark of progress

AddisonMckee has always been at the forefront of innovation in the industry,
especially when it comes to developing the most technologically-advanced control
systems. Way back in 1984-5, for example, the company introduced its Mark 1
control system incorporating the very first touch screen.

And today the new Mark 7 system takes convenience and flexibility one step further than
ever before by enabling a single control system to operate with both hydraulic and electric machines.

Forming better strategies for all its customers

The fortunes of AddisonMckee itself have certainly taken a turn for the better in recent months as the market climbs out of recession.

New ownership has galvanized the company by introducing a number of measures to
ensure a smoother ride for all its customers, in, amongst others, the automotive, aviation, truck and shipbuilding industries.

First and foremost, while the company remains a truly global concern with partners all over the world, in response to overwhelming demand from its European customers,
AddisonMckee has restored the manufacturing facility at its HQ at Bamber Bridge in the
UK, a move which underscores the company's commitment to its European partners not
least by significantly reducing costs.

Superior tube, more flexible chain

With two manufacturing facilities in the US and the UK, AddisonMckee can offer something its erstwhile competitors are unable to: namely, an eminently flexible supply chain to market.

The company now has no less than 55 engineers committed to research and development
with service personnel on hand in every continent.

While the new owners themselves come with the benefit of a wealth of business and
industry experience, not least in the key emerging markets of the Far East.
A commitment to change. And continuity While it's true that many things have changed at AddisonMckee, many things have also remained the same.

For example, AddisonMckee's commitment to its core values of quality, durability,
timeliness, price, integrity and flexibility has never wavered. Nor has its passion for
providing its customers with unique solutions for highly complex tubeforming problems
whether it be in muffler assembly and sub-assembly machinery, catalytic converter making solutions, hydraulic presses, inspection systems, cell automation solutions, production cell integration or lubricants.

Core values, core people

Many of the core people at the company's Bamber Bridge facility have been with
AddisonMckee, not just throughout the recent twists and turns of the recession, but for
many, many years.

As AddisonMckee CEO Alastair Tedford remarks: "The company has emerged stronger
than ever with an extremely healthy order book. As a management team, we believe this is due both to the restoration of our manufacturing facility here in the UK but also to building on the company's core values to offer customers a better service than ever before. What this means in practical terms is continuing to pursue a programme of innovation in new product development but coupled with a major initiative to drive down costs for our customers".

For more information about AddisonMckee and its products and services, please contact:

Phillip Aspinall - General Manager - Europe

Tel: +44 (0) 1772 334511

Email: paspinall@addisonmckee.com

Website: www.addisonmckee.com

Jennifer Rankin - North America

Tel. +1 513.228.7000

Email: jrankin@addisonmckee.com

All Topics