Page 29 - Hub 4 Magazine issue 53
P. 29

“In Australia we have shifted the emphasis from quarrying to recycling after the market changed and are now experiencing sales in excess of the original levels. Companies need to be flexible to maintain and grow their market share.”
Investments in the production line:
Adrian continued, “We have a 5-year plan to increase sales by 20% and make significant changes to our operation. We have commenced work which will see our manufacturing facilities increase by almost 50%.
We are going to extend the facilities by moving the paint shop to the back of the site which will facilitate an increased in our covered manufacturing space increase from just under 89,000ft2 to close to 141,000ft2.
We have made big investments and recently installed two new XPR300 plasma cutters which are the first in N Ireland; they have made the cutting process much faster.”
These new plasma cutters are quite special – the XPR300® represents the most significant advance in mechanized plasma cutting technology, ever. This next generation system redefines what plasma can do by expanding its capabilities and opportunities in ways never before possible. With unmatched X-DefinitionTM cut quality on mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium, the new XPR300 increases cut speed, dramatically improves productivity and slashes operating costs. New ease-of-use features and engineered system optimization make the XPR300 easier to run with minimal operator intervention, while also ensuring optimal performance and unmatched reliability.
Adrian, commented, “As well as the plasma cutters we have also invested in two new press brakes, a six-metre machine and 2 – four-metre machines which have increased our production capacity. Also, two new saws and a totally computerised CNC ficep drill. Currently we are using 2 tons of weld wire every month and with all these benefits for production we have now put our paint shop on two shifts and doubled the staff in the last two years!
In-house manufacturing:
Adrian pointed out that there is a big difference between EDGE Innovate and other manufacturers. For example; EDGE shredders are entirely produced in- house from the chassis right through the actual shredding chamber. This gives greater control on quality and lead times. He also told us that there are plans to
install a new quality control testing section within the new extension which will also house a designated R&D line, as currently when a new product comes through it can impact production and slow down parts of EDGE’s production lines, as new products tend to take longer to produce.
Adrian, added, “Our stores department carry up to £10 million of stock so we can react quickly and ensure lead times are adhered to. Our motto has always been to source locally if possible and ensure stocks of conveyor belt, engines, and rams etc are at the levels required to avoid long lead times. It’s all about projecting demand and making sure you are not susceptible to currency fluctuations and price increases. With the current level of sales our current lead time is approximately 12 weeks.
It’s an interesting fact that in a relatively short period of time; EDGE Innovate has transitioned from a sub-contract engineering firm to becoming a manufacturer of its own products in their own right. Which in turn has led to more inward customer and dealerships visits to the facility which has initiated the inclusion of a new ‘Welcome Centre’ and a new training facility within the new headquarter that will be built in the next few years.
It certainly is a bright future for EDGE Innovate as they achieve goal after goal, year on year.
www.hub-4.com Nov 2018 - Issue 53
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