Making the difference: Fife Fabrications invests in latest E-Brake ULTRA technology

Fife Fabrication

LEADING UK precision sheet metalwork manufacturer, Fife Fabrications has invested a significant six-figure sum in new technology as part of its ongoing growth plans. This investment in its fifth E-Brake Press Brake machine, the SafanDarley E-Brake 130-3100 ULTRA, will further build its capabilities and services for its loyal customer base and create further capacity required to facilitate future growth.

The first four E-Brake machines installed at Fife Fabrications in 2013 have been a great success story for the business, and this new technology will ensure that the folding capacity of its operations can further support its increasing customer base in 2021.

Based in Glenrothes, Fife Fabrications is one of the most advanced manufacturers of precision sheet metalwork, electromechanical assemblies and precision machined components in the UK, offering a complete service from design for manufacture support to manufacturing and full customer delivery. The investment in this new technology will ensure Fife Fabrications can maintain its clear focus on continuous improvement, flexible customer support and offering the lowest possible acquisition cost, whilst creating further streamlining for its manufacturing operations.

The original 100Ton E-Brake will be replaced by a 130Ton machine, with tooling supplied by Wilson Tool Ltd as Fife Fabrication’s preferred tooling partner. In addition to the higher tonnage, which will allow the machine to perform heavier work more efficiently, this latest machine has a number of new features such as the E-Mate Plus Bending Aid which will make bending of larger components simpler, easier and even more accurate.

Installed in March 2021, the model features lifting aids as a safety feature for managing larger panels and a larger opening height to form higher height flanges or parts. Like all E-Brakes, the ULTRA will be fully integrated into the company’s ERP system utilising the dual screen of the ULTRA and the fully 3D CNC Back gauge enables the most complicated of components to be programmed and processed with ease.

Like most businesses, having recently undergone a challenging period during the Covid-19 pandemic, the team at Fife Fabrications responded swiftly to create a strong business recovery plan with a range of security and safety measures which have ensured its compliance to Government regulations. This has included the introduction of shift work, home working and factory process modifications to ensure the business was able to service its customers and safeguard its staff, whilst ensuring it could create a positive position from which the business could invest and grow.

With strong links to Developing the Young Workforce in Fife and a commitment to improving and developing Fife’s offering to young people through its business community, Fife Fabrications has a long history of supporting apprentices and employability initiatives to nurture the development of young talent in the region. It’s most recent apprenticeship programme for 2021 launched in April and this investment in technology and equipment offers countless development opportunities for its staff and trainees, alongside the offering to customers.

Looking to build on its success for the future, Fife Fabrications’ Managing Director, John Penman, is pleased to be investing in new equipment to enhance and supplement its precision metalwork technology offering with the addition of the E-brake ULTRA.

He said,

“Fife Fabrications has always been focused on continual investment in lean technology, people and ordering processes, which means we can provide the lowest possible overall cost to customers. The timing of this investment will allow for many learning opportunities for staff, trainees and apprentices at Fife Fabrications, offering clear benefits to our team, as well as to our customers. Our aim is to further build our capabilities, expertise and continue to provide customer service which is a cut above. It also supports our investment in developing young talent to further support the upskilling of young people in Fife. This helps to address the skills gap in our industry and in Fife more generally, as well as creating a pipeline of young talent for our business. This investment in state-of-the-art technology from SafanDarley, with tooling from Wilson Tool, will ensure our services can move to the next level and increase our capability to design and deliver the highest quality products for our customers.”

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