Metalwork specialist invests a further £1m in partnership
A sheet metalwork specialist in the UK has reinforced its longstanding collaboration with Worcester Presses through a fresh £1m investment.
BPL Engineering Group, which operates a facility at Catesby Park in Kings Norton with a workforce of 40, has recently acquired a 500-tonne straight-sided, twin-crank Ching Fong press.
This investment is geared towards supporting the company’s expansion into medium and high-volume production for automotive, commercial vehicle, and aerospace applications.
Matt Adams, operations director at BPL Engineering Group, said: “This latest Chin Fong is our biggest mechanical press to date and gives us the additional capacity to take on complex progression tools in medium to high volumes. There’s a lot of opportunity to service new contracts with automotive clients and this machine will hopefully help us engage in new sectors looking for complex metal stamping where we can offer bespoke tooling solutions.
“Installation, including a new isolated pit to cut vibrations, is now complete and we’re looking to start running products off in the next few weeks. Four people will be trained to operate it, including several apprentices. We know what we’re getting with the Chin Fong…great reliability, superb accuracy, and strong performance. However, it’s the relationship we have with Worcester Presses, which is the real reason we keep turning to this press manufacturer.
“Russell Hartill and his team understand our business and the market opportunity and then put together tailored turnkey packages that not only meet but surpass our performance expectations. The service and maintenance offers are also top class.”
Russell Hartill, managing director of Worcester Presses, said: “We are more than just a press supplier, and this is highlighted in the way that we have supported BPL for the last eight years. We have known the company since 2016 when Matt and Mick Adams required a 300-tonne hydraulic, since then we have done a further five presses including a 600-tonne hydraulic and now this large 500-tonne progression set-up. All of this reinforces the success of the partnership.
“None of these machines have been off the shelf. The company had a specific production requirement or an opportunity, and we’ve worked closely with them to identify the best press and coil line, supported by installation, training and ongoing servicing. Each addition has made a positive difference and I look forward to the latest Chin Fong delivering the anticipated boost in sales.”
