Established in 1850, Baker & Finnemore Ltd, also known as ‘Bakfin’, has survived the test of time and grown to become one of the UK’s premier pressings manufacturers, recognised globally for the exceptionally high level of quality it offers in the Starlock® push on fastener range, as well as other bespoke pressings.
Based in Birmingham, Bakfin began life manufacturing fountain pen nibs as its main product line and was at one time the 6th largest producer of pen nibs worldwide. However in the late 19th century along came the ball point pen and the need to diversify. Bakfin went on to begin producing a whole range of different pressings mostly on fly-presses. Its success at satisfying specific customer demands helped to quickly establish it as a world class manufacturer, making a huge variety of different pressings for many different applications.
Fast forward to 2016 and Bakfin is still world-renowned as the original manufacturer of the Starlock® push on fastener, selling almost 500 million globally each year. The original range and many more variations have been developed alongside customers to satisfy specific demands for their applications and assembly processes.
Part of the Titgemeyer Group of companies since 2012, Bakfin continues to push for future success and has invested substantially to ensure that it is using the most cutting edge technologies for every process. At the factory, still located in Newall Street, Birmingham, Bakfin boasts in-house facilities, including a tool room, press shop, heat treatment plant, scour / deburr and finishing facilities. Keeping all of these processes in house, enables absolute quality control which is evident in the company’s extensive portfolio of accreditation to automotive, aerospace and defence standards as well as environmental and health & safety (ISO9001, TS16949, AS9100, ISO14001, OHSAS18001).
Bakfin has carefully researched the changing demands within the industries it serves and recognised the need for modern and advanced press machinery. Larger Starlocks and more complicated components that push the limitations of pressed component manufacture are increasingly required for an array of complex customer applications and fastening needs. Bakfin responded in kind to this demand by investing in the Minster/Nidec The P2H-100 series press. This machine boasts a much larger press bed and increased tonnage, both key requirements for larger more complicated and modern progression tooling. The infinite adjustable stroke provides ultimate flexibility and the cast iron frame along with the oil film technology results in consistent parts accuracy and extended tool life for the entire lifetime of the machine. Bakfin can now meet the demand in the market by both producing larger more modern tooling and running it on advanced press technology. This in turn means that the high demands of customers of both Starlocks and bespoke pressings can be met competitively whilst maintaining the expected high level of quality.
This exciting new piece of investment has already sparked interest from some of Bakfin’s longest standing customers, with a queue of new business already forming in advance of the presses commissioning. Bakfin is delighted by the opportunities this investment brings for itself and its customers and will be hosting an Open Day to show off this new technology and also the rest of their facility located in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham.
The event will be held on the 18th May starting at 9:00 am sharp and will include a complimentary breakfast, networking, talks from the owners and CEO of the Titgemeyer Group and the managing director of Baker & Finnemore, along with support staff from Nidec Minster Press Technologies who will be present to provide details regarding metal forming solutions from high speed through to high tonnage equipment and all ancillary equipment to support today’s press working environment. The event will conclude with a tour of the facility.
If you would like to attend this open day to meet the Bakfin team and experience first-hand their capabilities for the manufacture of pressed components, contact Ian Styles (ian.styles@bakfin.com Tel: 0121 236 2347 x 242 to reserve your place.
Baker & Finnemore Ltd
Tel: 0121 236 2347
www.bakfin.com