Product category:
Industrial Development Agencies and services
News Release from: Advantage West Midlands | Subject: Advantage West Midlands development agency
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 January 2007
Firm moves into composites with agency
help
A UK development agency has assisted a manufacturer of leather bellows to diversify into new industries and is now taking on the world of rail with ground breaking composite materials.
A Kidderminster, UK engineering company which dates back to the 1950s as a manufacturer of leather bellows has diversified into new industries and is now taking on the world of rail with ground breaking composite materials Beakbane, which employs more than 125 staff at its Stourport Road base, is the UK's leading designer and manufacturer of protective covers in both steel and flexible materials
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 22 Aug 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Ford Halewood links up with DeviceNet
When the Ford Motor Company installed a new gearbox assembly line at its Halewood Transmission Plant on Merseyside it implemented the largest PC-controlled automotive assembly facility in Europe.
Technical partnerships help share business risks
A technical partnership sees a machine tool manufacturer offer innovative finance options and a commitment to share risk with a customer in the short term and becoming a long-term partner.
Over the last year, the company has moved into the use of composites having recruited composite expert Steve Marsh, primarily as protection in the rail industry.
Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands has worked with the company to assist with the expansion into overseas markets, subsidising visits to trade shows across the world including the prestigious InnoTrans exhibition in Berlin.
The Agency also provided funding for machinery used by the company in the manufacture of the composites.
Further reading
Plastics company fined for asbestos handling
The UK's HSE has warned building and maintenance workers and their employers that they must take proper precautions when working in buildings where asbestos may be present.
Honeywell reduces plant costs for university
The University of Warwick in Coventry is reducing its plant running costs under a five-year performance-related service contract with Honeywell.
Beakbane managing director Barry Reeves said: "While we started out making product in leather, we are always looking to new materials in order to keep our position in the market.
Everything is produced domestically - steel, plastics and rubber covers are all cut, formed, welded, stitched, moulded and assembled on-site at Kidderminster." He said: "Moving into composites has given us an entirely new market to move into as we are able to take the very latest material technologies and apply them to other emerging technologies.
If you imagine a train moving at more than 100 miles/h, the debris underneath is disturbed and can cause serious damage which can lead to delays and loss of money.
Composites are relatively light and can withstand the impact of a bullet so are an attractive product for many purposes." Reeves said: "Advantage West Midlands has been involved in supporting the overseas trade and has been instrumental in helping us develop our exports within the Rail Industry." Along with aerospace and automotive, rail comprises the transport technologies cluster, one of ten identified by Advantage West Midlands aiming to increase the region's competitive advantage, reputation and wealth creation by encouraging businesses to collaborate and exploit strategic opportunities.
The sector contributes more than GBP 2 billion to the regional economy each year with over 300 companies employing 30,000 people.
Mike Clarke, Advantage West Midlands Rail Cluster manager, said: "Beakbane is one of our major suppliers within the rail sector.
Their approach to embracing new technologies, looking to overseas markets and diversifying into new products and processes is something we are keen to encourage.".
• Advantage West Midlands: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
