Holmes moves multi-spindle operations to Wickman

The need to increase manufacturing capacity to meet booming demand for its machine collets has led Holmes UK to move its multi-spindle machine tools and spares operations to Wickman Coventry.

The need to increase manufacturing capacity to meet booming demand for its machine collets has led Holmes UK to transfer its multi-spindle machine tools and spares operations to Wickman Coventry.

Through the move, Wickman has acquired more than GBP 1 million worth of brand new components, along with extensive stocks of refurbished parts for the renowned Wickman brand of multi-spindle metal cutting machines.

In addition, all Holmes' spares, repair and refurbishment orders have been transferred to the Binley-based company, making it the world's number one supplier for these popular production machines.

"More than 10,000 Wickman multi-spindles are currently in use around the globe," says company director, Chris Barrett.

"Through this agreement, we can now expect around 80% market share.

However, that does not mean we are going to become complacent.

The transfer of Holmes' operations allows us to make substantial savings in our manufacturing and sub-contract costs.

This, in turn, enables us to guarantee customers highly competitive pricing, top quality and ready availability of products - both now and in the future." "Both organisations will gain major benefits through the agreement," comments Tim Holmes, managing director of Holmes UK.

"Vital space and capacity will be freed-up at our Birmingham plant to allow expansion of our collet manufacturing operations.

The increase in production capability will not only help us to reduce lead times on existing products, but also to accelerate the introduction of our new range of DIN style collets." The deal also brings further spin-off benefits.

These include the transfer of a number of Holmes' employees to Wickman.

In addition, the Coventry mach ine tool specialist will be providing a Mori-Say six-spindle 32mm machine complete with CNC slide to Holmes - which it will put to good use fulfilling demand as Wickman's newly-appointed supplier of collets and feed fingers.

"Both companies are looking forward to working more closely together over coming months," continues Barrett.

"The agreement gives Wickman and Holmes UK the chance to concentrate on their respective core strengths, enabling each to compete more strongly in world markets, rather than against each other." About Holmes UK - established in 1983, Holmes UK specialises in the manufacture of imperial and metric, spring and Varibore machine collets, as well as a rapidly-expanding range of complementary machining products.

On-going investment in state-of-the-art manufacturing methods and production plant has enabled the company to minimise manufacturing costs and lead times, allowing it to compete aggressively in world markets against traditional low-cost manufacturing sources.

About Wickman Coventry - founded in Coventry more than 75 years ago, the Wickman Company is best known for the innovative range of multi-spindle production machines first brought to market in 1935.

Today, as part of the Tajmac group, Wickman still has its headquarters in Coventry.

The company has grown rapidly during the past three years under the guidance of a new management team and has recently opened offices in Spain and France - to operate alongside agents in more than 20 other sales territories around the world.

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