Pioneering service boosts turnover through latest technology

Anthony Walker

St Helens-based steel stockholder and processor company Hi-Tech Steel Services (HTSS) has seen a £3m increase in turnover thanks to implementing new industrial technologies.

The turnover hike is a 12% improvement on the company’s 2017 figures.

Established more than 25 years ago and processing in excess of 5,000 tonnes of material per month, HTSS works with companies across the UK and Europe in sectors including automotive, construction and ventilation.

Recognising a change in customer demand for a more digital approach to steel processing following an increase in requests for laser-cut materials and flat-sheet metal products, HTSS approached part-ERDF funded business support programme LCR 4.0.

HTSS general manager, Andy Flatt, said: “Digital transformation is making waves through every industry, so it was no surprise to us that our customers were looking for more advanced solutions than we had traditionally offered.

“We knew the technology we needed to introduce, and we knew that there was a significant growth opportunity for us to expand our offer.

“But what we didn’t know was how to implement it without disruption, so it was great that the LCR 4.0 team at Liverpool John Moores University was there to help.”

The Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) put HTSS in touch with LCR 4.0 partner LJMU, which provided access to specialist academic expertise and a dedicated resource.

The result was the development of a commissioning strategy to fully integrate new laser cutting equipment into the factory to meet customer demand and requirements quicker than before.

In addition to this, four highly-trained operatives were also hired at HTSS to offer a CAD (computer aided design) service.

Installing CAD files into the new machinery allowed the company to ensure metal is cut and processed exactly as required, offering customers a quick and bespoke solution.

All of the new machinery is autonomous, meaning it can cut independently, freeing up staff time to be spent on other areas of the business and elements of delivery.

The new equipment also collects performance data which is automatically fed back into the business to provide insight for further improvements, enabling HTSS to be more sustainable in a competitive market place.

“The results of going through our own digital transformation are already tremendous,” said Andy.

Hi-Tech Steel

“We have increased turnover by £3m this year and expanded our customer base significantly. We have also entered new tiers within our supply chain which will encourage further growth well into the future.”

He added: “LCR 4.0 is most definitely one of the best projects I’ve been involved with – it has been a fantastic experience.”

Antony Walker, strategic manager at LJMU, said: “LCR 4.0 has had some excellent results with well-known established businesses in the city region.

“Our work with Hi-Tech Steel Services demonstrates the impact Industry 4.0 technologies can have to create competitive advantage for an ambitious team in an existing market place.”

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