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New Factory to House High Tech Investments
01 Mar 2007
With a growing order book and the need to have further space for investment in high technology multi-axis mill/turn and machining centres, Kenard Engineering, Dartford, has acquired the freehold of a new 30,000 ft2 factory, which is double its current factory area.
The latest machines will be utilised for new work won in the oil and gas industry, where Kenard's growth has created an additional £2m of business in the last year. Complex multi-featured machined components for the aerospace sector also increased for the company by 25% in the first nine months of 2006.
The first machine to be installed will be a new GBP300,000 Daewoo Puma 700L mill/turn centre giving a capacity of 1m diameter by 2.5m, 180 mm spindle bore and 45kW spindles. The 12 station all-driven tool turret is powered by 10kW motor and is able to accommodate boring bars with large overhang ratios.
Says director Keith Ellis: “We already have high levels of spindle utilisation through our management systems, especially the Seiki Systems manufacturing software - but it comes to a point when expanding the business you need additional capacity.” He explains how the company spent over £1m on machine tools last year and with the new facility have the space to introduce further equipment and immediately run at high efficiency levels. “Investment also encourages the workforce to maintain our strict quality levels and, of course, tight delivery schedules. Here the new facility will encourage good working practices and pride in the company,' he maintains.
Kenard Engineering also has a 47,000 ft2 facility for contract manufacturing in Tewkesbury with a five machine flexible manufacturing system, a range of 18 CNC machining centres and boring machines, a sheetmetal shop and large assembly area.
www.kenard.com
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