Bilston based Irvon Press and Sheer Limited has installed the UK’s largest and most accurate plate rolls and bevel cutting plasma machine, bringing pioneering technology to the region and securing an estimated £1m worth of additional business for the company.
Irvon’s investment in the cutting edge equipment was made possible with the support of a £99,000 Grant for Business Investment from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.
The grant enabled Irvon to buy and install a 100-tonne plate rolling machine, which can ‘cold’ bend steel 3m wide and 120mm thick to within a few millimeters accuracy; an ultra precise bevel cutting plasma machine; and a 20-ton crane in order to process the massive steel plates.
These exact types of rolling machines are being purchased in the US to build its wind farms and in the UK the only comparable plasma cutting machines are being used to build an aircraft carrier for the Royal Navy.
Andy Kimberley, Managing Director at Irvon, said: “The way forward is to invest in cutting edge technology and the ‘big stuff’. The unique combination of the rolls and bevel cutting machine will allow us to win otherwise unattainable contracts, effectively making us the UK’s biggest plate processor, with world class facilities.
“Even the biggest engineering companies don’t have machines this large because they simply don’t need them on a daily basis but Irvon will because we will be taking on jobs for everybody, all of the time.”
Michelle Arnold, General Manager at Irvon, added: “We’ve already processed armour plating for new fighting vehicles heading off to Afghanistan, blast walls on drilling rigs around the world, marine winches, and a bridge for the new 2012 Olympic stadium. The new machinery will help us to become even more specialist and competitive.
“The support we have received from Advantage West Midlands has been fantastic and has allowed us to invest in our growth at a critical time, putting us at the forefront of large metal engineering in the UK and giving us a truly competitive edge globally.
“The project has given us a real boost and provided an exciting opportunity for our amazing workforce – it is their expertise, hard work and enthusiasm that truly keeps us competitive and successful.”
The project is creating four jobs and safeguarding another four jobs, while levering in more than £1.2million private sector investment.
Dr Richard Hutchins, Deputy Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said: “This is a great example of how Advantage West Midlands is supporting projects that deliver the best returns on investment. It is good news in terms of business growth and jobs safeguarded for the region, reflecting the priorities of the Manufacturing Support Strategy, in line with which the Agency supports the development of globally competitive businesses through modernisation in key operational areas, as well as through diversification.
“In line with the West Midlands Economic Strategy, innovative projects are changing lives and boosting the economy across our region. Innovation is one of the main challenges facing the West Midlands and encouraging companies of all sizes to develop new products and ideas is a key priority.”
Irvon has installed a Faccin HAV 3176 rolling machine and a ESAB Suprarex SXE-P2 plasma bevel profiling machine.
For more information about the Grant for Business Investment please telephone Advantage West Midlands Grants Officer Steve Hines on 0121 503 3290.