Bruderer UK and Sertec Group, have joined forces to identify and purchase 12 machines to help the automotive supplier meet growing volume demands from many of the world’s largest car makers including Jaguar Land Rover.
Birmingham-based Sertec has committed more than £10 million into a three-year modernisation programme that has seen the company start to install a host of ZANI Motion Master Presses, ranging from 250 to 800 tonnes.
The deal marks the continuation of a long-term relationship between the two firms and will give the world class manufacturer of stampings and welded assemblies the speed, quality and capacity to develop structural stampings, in both steel and aluminium, for all of the new JLR models.
Adrian Haller, managing director of Bruderer UK says: “Sertec needed support going forward with the presses on their expansion. Because of the amount of work it was taking on for JLR, it was paramount that it needed service parts and full support whenever possible during the installation and on the shopfloor.
“I have to say that there is no automotive company in the world, that within the space of one and a half years, has purchased that many presses in one hit. It is a massive undertaking and a massive learning curve for both companies and from Bruderer’s point of view it is an excellent showroom for future sales and business.
“Our specialists were invited in to look at an upgrade plan for part of its press shop. We looked closely at its requirements, the end application and predictions of volumes going forward, with the answer to many of these questions being ‘ZANI’
“The Italian firm’s presses have been used by Sertec for more than 20 years and are renown for their durability, precision and their ability to prolong tool life. It initially started out as six machines, but quickly grew to 12, with all of them being fitted with coil lines and servo feeds.”
Dave Steggles, managing director of Sertec Group, adds: “We expect to grow our £197 million turnover significantly in 2016 and the key to continuing this momentum is to ensure we are investing in our technology and our capability.
“This project is unprecedented in terms of size and has quickly escalated from 6 presses to 12. It’s a learning curve, but one we’ll complete and one that will deliver greater quality, manufacturing performance and capacity to our customers.”
Sertec recently secured a £20 million funding package from BGF (Business Growth Fund) and Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking to support the management team’s continuing expansion plans for the 54-year-old business.
The business has enjoyed significant growth over the last eight years, with sales rising from £40 million in 2008 to close to £200 million today. Undoubtedly, the latest £10 million deal signifies the company’s desire to continually grow and expand further with the support of Bruderer UK.