Warley MP John Spellar formally opened a major new factory at Smethwick precision engineering company A&M EDM today.

A&M EDM has made a multimillion pound investment in a new 4,000m² facility adjacent to its existing factory in Mornington Road and nine high-tech machining centres, significantly increasing its spark erosion, milling, grinding and turning capabilities. The investment was made possible with the support of Sandwell Council and the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership. The council supported A&M EDM with access to Regional Growth Funds and through its Property Finding Service. The new facility has tripled the company’s workspace and will support its continued growth by enabling it to handle larger pieces of work for customers in the aerospace, defence, medical and transport sectors.

This year A&M EDM has worked on high profile projects including machining precision components for several Formula 1 teams and designing parts for a Rally Raid motorbike which will compete in the 2015 Dakar Rally. The company uses a combination of new and traditional techniques to machine components and tools in both metals and composites, and also offers a research and development service to help customers with product design.

Managing director Mark Wingfield welcomed Mr Spellar to the factory and introduced him to some of the company’s 50 staff, who range from highly experienced machinists with 40+ years’ in the industry to apprentices learning both computer controlled and hand machining skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We continually invest in equipment and people so we can provide the highest quality services and solve any machining challenge that comes our way,” Mark said. “Customers rely on us to manufacture high precision parts and tools with a very quick turnaround, and they come back to us again and again because they know we won’t let them down.”

“I am delighted that traditional engineering skills are flourishing here in Smethwick,” said John Spellar. “A&M EDM’s success shows that manufacturing skills are alive and well in the Black Country, and by taking on apprentices – something which I strongly support – they are training the next generation to continue this proud heritage.”

A&M EDM’s new factory is on the site of the Birmingham Railway and Carriage Works, which was founded in the late 1800s and once employed over 6,000 people. It built tanks during the Second World War and manufactured diesel locomotives until it closed in 1962.

Sorce: Helix PR