A DUNDEE manufacturing company that creates technology for everything from cabling for cars and high-speed trains to Olympic medals and commemorative coins is gearing up for the growing global demand for electrical power.
Founded in 1978, Rautomead, based at the city’s Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate, began life recycling brass bezels for Timex watches.
Today, the company, which employs around 50 staff with a turnover of over £10M, designs, manufactures and assembles equipment that processes non-ferrous metals and alloys for the global market. End products range from brass fittings and welding tips to high quality wire and jewellery.
Over 400 Rautomead machines, built in Dundee by a largely local workforce, can currently be found in 49 countries across the globe, including USA, China, Japan, Spain, Germany, Thailand and Australia. The company also places great emphasis on an after-sales service and parts business for its international client base.
Rautomead has recently welcomed new Managing Director, Stephen Hall, succeeding Brian Frame, who is retiring after 15 years at the helm.
Glasgow-born Stephen, an electronics graduate from the University of West of Scotland, joins the company following 18 years with FLEXcon Europe, where he held several positions including European Operations Director, Managing Director Asia and Managing Director Europe.
Stephen said: “From our Dundee operation, we enable world-class technology, designing and creating machinery that’s in high demand across the globe.
“With our technology already supporting the fastest high-speed trains across China, our future lies at the high end of the electrification of the world. For example, as the demand for electric vehicles grows, so will the need for copper conductor alloys, widely used in EVs due to their excellent electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion.
“Having built a reputation for producing the best copper alloys in the world, I’m committed to taking the company to the next level. I’ll be driving the business to innovate, identify and explore new niche export markets where, collectively, we can make an even greater impact while contributing to the UK’s strategy towards NetZero.”
As part of its workforce, Rautomead is committed to investing in new and emerging talent, currently employing six University of Dundee engineering graduates and a steady stream of apprentices.
The company also works closely with the University of Dundee’s School of Engineering, bridging the gap between academia and business to address industry-driven challenges and develop new technologies.
The Prosperity Partnership, funded by Innovate UK, sees four PhD students engaged in active research and development around the design of continuous casting rigs that produce high-value, high-quality alloys. The partnership also provides Rautomead with access to both students and graduates, providing a pipeline for mutually beneficial internships and succession in the workforce.
Through this Research and Development work, combined with in-house trials, Rautomead invests nearly £1M annually, allowing the company to explore and develop new products, processes and materials.
Stephen added, “With a proven track record for excellence, innovation and strong people values, all of which drew me to this position, we are committed to attracting and retaining talent in the city. As well as apprentices, we currently employ several University of Dundee graduates and regularly welcome students to complete bespoke design projects that go towards their degree. It’s encouraging to see that new talent coming through, and something we’d like to cultivate further.
“We are also committed to the ongoing development of existing staff, some of whom have worked here for over 40 years, whether supporting staff through PhDs or offering the latest training to progress their skills further. Only by investing in innovation and our people can we succeed in a globally competitive sector like ours.”
For more information, visit www.rautomead.com