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20/08/2009, Birmingham, UK:
The Coleshill based pressworker, which has a 62 year heritage of manufacturing in the West Midlands, supplies a range of industry sectors, including the automotive and construction markets, with high volume pressed metal components.
The company, which has historically specialised in the manufacture of components from 0.2mm thick to 5mm thick and ranging from 6mm dia to 160mm dia, received a sharp increase in demand for larger components as a result of the recent economic climate and the reduced number of presswork companies in the area. This, combined with the promise of a significant new order from the Czech Republic, triggered H T Brigham to invest in a new press which would satisfy the boost in demand.
Barry Smith, Managing Director, said, 'It was a bold decision to make a commitment to invest in this way at this time, but the new orders and increased volume of enquiries which we have received of late, highlights that there is work to be won. We fully intend to embrace this opportunity in the current market and move the company forward into new ventures.'
The machine, a Fagor progression press, was delivered to the H T Brigham factory in early July following weeks of preparation. Walsall based company, Schuler Presses UK Limited, was commissioned to coordinate the move. During the installation, the factory roof literally had to be raised in order for the press, weighing 48 tonnes, to be craned in. The new machine is equipped with a coil line allowing material feed up to 600mm wide and 4mm thick and a tool bed 1800mm x 1200mm.
This acquisition now gives H T Brigham the capability to increase manufacturing capacity for progression work from its previous 110t to 250t, which coupled with existing transfer press capacity ranging from 25t 9 station up to 300t 16 station, will enable the company to manufacture larger and heavier presswork. This will allow diversification across all market sectors currently served and the potential to enter new ones. Andrew Essom, Technical Sales Manager said, 'With our newly increased capacity, we are now in a position to quote a broader selection of work and offer a more encompassing presswork solution, which will benefit our current and prospective customers enormously'.
Customers will not be the only ones to benefit though. H T Brigham’s supplier base has also been able to reap the rewards of the initial stages of the new venture. In addition to Schuler, other local companies to benefit include Stourbridge based toolmaker, Portway Tool and Gauge and material supplier United Steels, based in Kingswinford. It is likely that these suppliers will continue to play a key role as the project progresses.
In addition and perhaps most importantly, Brigham employees have been encouraged by the company's motives for the purchase of the new press, namely the fact that it will produce the new, high value order secured from the Czech Republic. This job, for the automotive market, has the potential for volumes to run well into the millions and is expected to endure long into the future. The security of such a lucrative long-term contract has not been under-estimated by the company or its employees at a time of such employment fragility in the manufacturing sector.
The installation of the new press also prompted the company’s Tool Setters to embark on a bespoke training regime. The focus of this new initiative, not only involves the practicalities of operating the new press, but also centres around creating a blueprint, which encourages employees to take on increased responsibility. The 5S Japanese business improvement technique has been implemented to organise and assign individuals responsibility for different aspects of the designated cell area surrounding the Fagor press. This approach is designed to boost productivity, increase individual job responsibility and empower the workforce.
In fact, the new addition to H T Brigham's plant is likely to have a huge impact on the entire factory’s processes. If the new production model is successful, management fully intend to roll it out across all other areas of production. The firm is also considering occupying one of the adjoining units which is currently unused and converting it into a manufacturing cell for a family of products presently in development for a customer. These plans are being assisted by funding from the Manufacturing Advisory Service.
With this funding in place, a new manufacturing model, a lucrative new overseas contract and orders from existing customers on the rise again, the company is quietly confident about the future. Barry Smith is a firm believer that it is Brigham’s proactive attitude to change which has been key to its survival during the recent trying times. 'We have tried to recognise opportunities for growth and take the measures necessary to secure our future success. The new press will be instrumental in our ability to target further new markets and our approach to its incorporation into the factory will generate a new working ethos which can be rolled out throughout the whole company.'
HT Brigham provides a diverse range of industry sectors, worldwide with bespoke presswork solutions. Specialising in the manufacture of small to medium sized metal stampings in high volume, from materials including stainless steel, aluminum and brass, the focus is on using their knowledge, skill base and expertise to manufacture each component to the highest standards and for the lowest possible cost.
Contact: Andrew Essom (Technical Sales Manager)
H T Brigham & Company Limited
Station Road, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 1JQ
Tel: +44 (0)1675 463882
Fax: +44 (0)1675 467441
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