Atkin Automation : Experts in control of steel strip - RSS Feed

" I Didn't Know You Did That "

2012-02-08T14:51:04

One of the most frustrating things that Atkin staff and particularly sales staff hear is that phrase” I didn’t know you did that”. Despite attending many Trade Shows and extensive Trade Press coverage of new developments, creating an awareness of the great breadth of skills available in Atkin and the machines those skills create, is an ongoing battle.

To give an idea as to some of the areas we cover: shelving bases, backs, uprights and stiffeners, mesh filters, copper bus bars, ceiling tiles, racking and steel frameworks, exhaust pipe components, automotive components, surgical instruments, blades, constructional steel, cut to length lines, stacking systems, transformer cores, foil winders, embossing tools, servo roll feeds, levellers and multi roll levellers, coil holders and coil cars, coil tippers, shears and guillotines and many, many more.

If you have a manufacturing need – talk to us.

Atkin also offers a complete refurbishment and overhaul programme and a range of second hand equipment. One thing in particular we should mention is that we offer a Coilholder mandrel inspection service. Coilholder mandrels do a lot of work and there are instances of a mandrel shearing after some years of use so we recommend a periodic x ray and overhaul just to make sure that your machinery and workforce is safe as it can be. If you have an older coil holder that has done some work please contact us for more information.

Atkin to Exhibit at Mach 2012

2012-02-08T14:46:55

Atkin will exhibit at Mach 2012 to be held at the NEC from April 16^th to 20^th. Atkin will be part of the Metalworking Machinery Manufacturers Association “Village” stand 4524. Atkin will be exhibiting a new “Combination Unit” Coilholder and Leveller on a common base frame to save space together with a new upgraded Servo Rollfeed which comes with added features to ensure that the pinch rolls remain completely parallel at all times giving superior grip. The technology works extremely well for offset feeding or narrow strip.

The Mach Exhibition, which is the premier exhibition for Manufacturing Technology and the Metalworking Industry, occupies 33,000 sq metres of stand space and attracts visitors from all over the world.

We look forward to meeting you on Stand 4524 in April.

International Dimension to Atkin Business

2012-02-08T14:36:33

Atkin Automation has worked hard to get an international dimension to its business in recent years. As a result it is worth noting that of the four major projects now in build at our Thetford factory three have an international destination.

The first is being supplied through a UK press manufacturer to a customer in India. This order calls for a 10 tonne x 1350mm x 5mm Press Feed Line with a heavy duty shear and a technically sophisticated 6 high leveller. The project looks set for an on time delivery in late February. The second job is destined for a factory 300 miles east of Moscow and is a repeat of an earlier order. The job is basically a cut to length line except that each length is cut to exactly match the circumference of a “stack”. Atkin invented a machine to measure the circumference and then send the measurements to the rollfeed, emboss the strip and shear it to the precise length required. The next order is destined for Singapore and finally we have a substantial part press Feed Line destined for the UK. Hooray!

Atkin Engineers will attend the customers’ factories for installation and commissioning in due course reflecting Atkin’s commitment to customer service and endorsing our experience that a good installation means fewer warranty issues!

New website for Atkin Automation

2011-11-01T12:59:31

Atkin Automation are pleased to announce that their new website went live on the 1st November 2011. This enables customers old and new to view Atkin products and services more easily and in greater detail.

£100k repeat order for Atkin Automation

2011-09-26T14:07:02

It’s another £100k order for Atkin. This time it is for a UK manufacturer and the Atkin team is delighted to have won this repeat business. The order, which is a straight repeat of a machine supplied in 2010, is to be delivered in December.

Chris Ward said “ It is always pleasing when we get a return of a customer for a repeat order. It suggests that our quality and pricing are right and is encouraging for the future”.

Thailand is a good market for Atkin products

2011-08-26T14:00:56

Richard Priest, Atkin Automation’s Contracts Director has returned to Thailand following Intermach for a week long series of meetings with customers who have active projects to discuss with Atkin Automation.

Before he left Richard said, “ It is a good indication that there is a market in low priced economies for European equipment. The application has to be right to sustain Western pricing but there is every indication that this will be a market for us.”

Two new export orders for Atkin Automation

2011-07-26T14:14:06

Atkin Automation are delighted to announce two orders totalling well over £400,000. Both are destined for export, one through another UK company and one directly to the end user. Atkin staff, who will be installing one line 300 miles east of Moscow in January are said to be asking for fur lined boots, gloves and coats!

Chris Ward said, “It’s nice to know we have succeeded where Napoleon failed but a working range of -30 to +50 degrees C brings its own challenges”

South African market ripe for Atkin Automation

2011-07-25T17:22:38

Following a four month project working in conjunction with UKTI and the Commercial department of the British Embassy in Johannesburg Atkin Automation have just finished a weeks market research visit to Johannesburg, the centre of South African steel working.

Chris Ward, Managing Director, said that although an extremely price sensitive market where Chinese suppliers are well represented, there are opportunities for more sophisticated lines demanding high levels of automation. Potential Agents and Customers were very receptive to the concept of a UK supplier.

Atkin Automation annouce the receipt of a £600,000 order.

2011-06-01T10:08:43

Atkin Automation is delighted to announce the receipt of a £600,000 plus order from a major household name for the supply of six identical lines. For reasons of commercial confidentiality the end user and the process which is a world first, with several patents pending cannot be identified, but unusually instead of being asked for more and more speed this process has to work very slowly but with great positional accuracy.

The order came after a prototype machine had been ordered by the customer and which then exceeded expectations in trials. Atkin is always pleased to work with customers in developing new processes and ensuring that they meet the clients’ specifications.

Atkin Contracts Director, Richard Priest, said that receipt of this order was a tribute to the way the Technical and Sales departments had worked closely with the customer to agree a specification during the development of the prototype machine.

The six lines are all due for delivery before Christmas.

Atkin Automation attend the Intermach Exhibition in Bangkok

2011-05-25T17:11:32

As part of their efforts to establish a presence in South East Asia Atkin Automation have just attended a week long exhibition, Intermach, at the BITEC Exhibition Centre in Bangkok. Assisted by their newly appointed SE Asia Agents, Baron International, Chris Ward and Richard Priest manned the stand with their Agent’s staff and also found time to fly to Kuala Lumpur for a one day meeting with a prospective customer.

Chris said that they were delighted by the number and quality of visitors to the Stand. Most of the typical metal processing sectors were represented including automotive, construction, press workers, colour coating and stockists.

Atkin again demonstrates its flexibility......

2011-02-24T10:44:09

Atkin Automation has again demonstrated its flexibility and determination to provide its customers with their required solution by integrating the customer’s high speed press, a third party rollformer with its new Atkin equipment and bespoke software.

The project which is for the manufacture of building related products, more than doubled the speed of the existing process, and was delivered on time and to specification. Geoff Barker, Sales Manager, said that this was a good indicator of Atkin’s flexibility and determination to give the customer what he wanted and not just sell a new line. Geoff added that the customer was delighted with Atkin’s performance and willingness to adapt to an unusual set of circumstances while improving its competiveness in a difficult market.

Atkin deliver on time and to budget.

2010-12-24T10:38:38

Atkin Automation is pleased to confirm that all six lines ordered in June have been delivered “on time, to specification and to budget”

Chris Ward, Managing Director, paid tribute to the co-operation between departments that had ensured this project was completed on time. He said “Design, Purchasing and Engineering had all worked together to ensure an on time delivery of a quality product. The inter relationship between these functions is key to an on time delivery within the budget allowed.”

Four lines, delivered on a “two at a time” basis are already working with the remaining two due to be commissioned in early January.

Atkin Automation to show new cost reducing products at MACH 2010

2010-04-01T11:56:50

Thetford, Norfolk: Atkin Automation will be exhibiting three new products on its stand at MACH 2010 [4860 - Hall D] to be held at the NEC, Birmingham, from 7 – 11 June 2010.

Atkin Automation has an international reputation for its range of specialist high performance coil handling and processing products, and its new Smart Roll Feed will be on show for the first time. This features a number of in-built safeguards which provide operator confirmation that it is safe to commence feeding, thereby preventing expensive damage to tooling.

Companies which already use Atkin Automation’s transformer core lines will find the upgraded system software of particular interest as it provides greater productivity and product options from existing equipment. Also on show for the first time will be the Sandsun range of quick die change elements, for which Atkin Automation has recently been appointed the exclusive UK supplier.

A quick die change element can be used in a wide variety of machine engineering applications for a SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) and facilitates a sub 10 minute tool changeover.

SMED is a method of reducing press down time during product tooling change-over, and it enables a single press operator to complete the entire process. Importantly, system hydraulics enable quick and consistent clamping after the SMED has been carried out.

At a typical system cost of £5,000 ex vat [8 clamps, one power unit, 2 die arms], the pay-back period can be very short for many factories where current production line costs are often upwards of £800 per hour.

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward is cautiously optimistic about the coming months, saying: “We have seen a number of encouraging signs of sales growth since the beginning of the year, but it is still a little spasmodic. The new products which we will be exhibiting at MACH 2010 will help manufacturers take cost out of their production processes, and our customers are telling us that such reductions are vitally important to industrial recovery.”

Atkin Automation appointed exclusive UK Sandsun supplier

2010-04-01T11:56:06

Thetford, Norfolk: Atkin Automation has been appointed as the exclusive UK supplier of the Taiwanese Sandsun range of quick die change elements.

A quick die change element can be used in a wide variety of machine engineering applications for a SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) and facilitates a sub 10 minute tool changeover. SMED is a method of reducing press down time during product tooling change-over, and it enables a press operator to complete the entire process single handedly. Importantly, system hydraulics enable quick and consistent clamping after the SMED has been carried out.

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward is pleased to have secured this exclusive supply arrangement with Sandsun, saying: “ We supply the Atkin, BHP and Shung Dar ranges of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment to a number of UK industry sectors, so we have the experience and the contacts to successfully market the Sandsun range.”

He continued: “ As UK manufacturers climb out of recession, they are looking for ways to remove cost from the production processes, and minimising downtime in a busy pres shop environment can make a major contribution to achieving demanding production output targets. We are expecting a very positive response to our initial sales and marketing campaign.”

Visitors to the MACH 2010 exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham from 7-11 June 2010 will be able to learn more about the Sandsun range by visiting Atkin Automation’s stand - 4860 in Hall D.

Atkin Automation reports surge in equipment refurbishment contracts

2009-08-01T11:54:51

Atkin Automation transformer line

Thetford, Norfolk: With many companies having placed a total embargo on capital equipment purchases in the current economic climate, Atkin Automation is reporting a surge in demand for its machinery refurbishment and upgrade service.

Its latest upgrade contract is worth in excess of £115,000 and will involve the complete revision of a transformer core cutting line for one of its UK customers. The project includes the installation of new servo controlled ball screws and gearboxes which will allow for both forward/backward and side-to-side movement of steel strip during the production process.

The existing roll feed will be replaced with a new servo-motor and all the line controls are to be renewed. New software will also be supplied by Atkin Automation which will allow for the storage and instant retrieval of up to 20,000 off individual component programs. The software system will also provide the programming flexibility for the production of small batch quantities with zero scrap between component changeovers.

Once upgraded the line will be used to produce either European Step Lap or American vertical blanks.

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its manufacture of the W.T.Atkin and BHP range of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment. In recent years it has also supplied purpose-built automated production lines for a wide range of metal components.

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward believes that in these uncertain times many more manufacturers will choose to refurbish existing machinery, rather than in investing in new equipment. He said:

“This is the latest in a growing number of refurbishment contracts which we have been awarded over the last year or so, and I know of several more customers who are actively considering the option of equipment refurbishment.

“ Refurbishment is often associated with machinery relocation, and our engineers have also recently been involved in a number of international equipment relocation projects.”

East Anglian manufacturer enters 2009 on a high

2009-01-01T11:54:07

Thetford: Norfolk: : Sales continuity throughout 2008, which was topped off with an order intake of over £250,000 in the days leading up to Christmas, means that Atkin Automation has entered the new year with an order book that should keep its Thetford factory in full production well into 2009.

Whilst Managing Director Chris Ward is pleased with the company's performance last year, there will be no opportunity for his sales team to sit back on their laurels. He commented: “ Over 27% of our sales were made overseas last year, primarily in mainland Europe. The current sterling to euro exchange rate provides us with even greater opportunities for such export sales, and this will continue to be one of our areas of activity in the coming months.”

He continued: “We have also undertaken a review of all our UK customers’ plans for 2009, and we have identified those which still have capital expenditure programmes, as distinct from those which are operating on repair and refurbishment budgets only."

“It would appear that companies which primarily manufacture for the construction and automotive industries have virtually no capital expenditure plans for the foreseeable future.

"However, there are definitely some industrial sectors which remain busy, and we shall focus on automation projects for customers in these industries. It is also important to remember that the value of the dollar and the euro strengthens the appeal of UK manufactured products in the home market.”

Chris Ward concluded: “changing economic climate tends to create new sales opportunities, and I am already seeing signs that our machine upgrade and refurbishment facility is set to become much busier over the next few months.”

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been build over many years around its manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist high performance coil handling and processing products. Using its expertise in the control of steel strip, Atkin Automation has for some years also supplied purpose designed and built automated production line equipment for a wide range of metal component manufacturers.

Exciting developments at atkinautomation.com

2008-10-01T11:53:17

Thetford: Norfolk: In a move designed to significantly benefit its Eastern European customers and prospects, Atkin Automation has enhanced its website to offer Russian, Polish, German and French language options.

Atation, which is kin Automan internationally respected supplier of coil handling equipment and systems, is also offering a selection of pre-owned Atkin and BHP coil handling equipment that can be viewed and ordered through atkinautomation.com. The company believes that in the current world economic climate some companies will need to purchase pre-owned and refurbished equipment which is priced to meet their reduced capital equipment budgets.

“Interest in Atkin Automation products from Eastern Europe has grown significantly over the last year or so, meaning the development of a multi-lingual website was very important”, said Managing Director Chris Ward.

He continued: “ While many companies in other parts of the world are finding it nearly impossible to obtain budget for new capital equipment purchases, we felt it was appropriate to include pre-owned and refurbished equipment on the web site.

“ These initiatives are designed to encourage the growth of interest from Eastern Europe, whilst giving companies operating on a limited budget a greater number of capital equipment purchase options..”

For more information go to www.atkinautomation.com

The Summer 2008 customer newsletter of Atkin Automation Limited

2008-04-01T11:52:29

Click here to download the Summer 2008 customer newsletter of Atkin Automation Limited.

Manufacturing overseas increases demand for British metal handling equipment

2008-01-01T11:51:21

The continuing exodus of many manufacturers from the UK, as well as those from other countries with a manufacturing heritage, to the lower cost countries of Eastern Europe over the last few years has, without doubt, been a cause of great concern to many of those manufacturers’ suppliers.

As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing equipment to metal component manufacturers in industries such as the automotive, construction, office and shop equipment and power transmission sectors, Atkin Automation was initially one of those concerned suppliers.

“But we need not have worried” says Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward. “Although a number of our traditional customers are continuing to establish new manufacturing plants in countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic, this is in fact creating increased demand for our equipment”.

“Wherever possible we have encouraged these companies to adopt a policy of replicating the production lines, and associated processes and procedures, used in their current factories. Our ability to provide customers with a turnkey service, taking responsibility for the shipment, installation and commissioning of their new production lines, then enables us to ensure that they can quickly get into volume production in one or more different countries.”

He concluded, saying, “ There is no doubt that capital equipment standardisation ensures tremendous manufacturing flexibility for a multinational manufacturer.”

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment. It also holds European distribution rights to the Shung Dar range of Taiwanese coil handling and processing equipment, which sits comfortably alongside the company’s traditional products. In recent years the company has supplied purpose-built automated production lines for the manufacture of a wide range of metal components.

Atkin Automation wins major contract from Finnish manufacturer

2007-11-01T11:50:29

Atkin Automation Limited, has won an important production line refurbishment and upgrade contract at the Sheffield factory of a Finnish stainless steel manufacturer.

Over the next three months, the company’s existing BHP stainless steel cut to length line will be subject to a £200,000 refurbishment and rebuild process. All the control systems will be replaced and a new stacker will be added to provide the capability of multi-stacking different combinations of finished parts with widths of 200mm to 610mm and lengths ranging from 200mm to 300mm. The maximum stack weight will be 3000kgs.

The finished production line will be able to handle stainless steel of up to 3mm in thickness, processing coil widths from 19mm to 610mm to produce cut blanks at the rate of 60 per minute at a 250mm pitch.

Chris Ward, Managing Director of Atkin Automation, is delighted the company has been appointed as the sole contractor for this turn key project , which will involve the provision of full documentation and CE marking. He said:

“ The existing BHP line has been in use for over 25 years which is a wonderful testament to the quality of our equipment. The refurbished line will be installed and commissioned before the end of the year and I am sure it will provide many more years of reliable service. ”

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment. It also holds European distribution rights to the Shung Dar range of Taiwanese coil handling and processing equipment, which sits comfortably alongside the company’s traditional products.

The Winter 2007/08 customer newsletter of Atkin Automation Limited

2007-10-01T11:49:29

Click here to download the Winter 2007/08 customer newsletter of Atkin Automation Limited.

Atkin Automation licenses transformer coil cutting for China and India

2007-08-01T11:48:31

The success ofAtkin Automation’s exclusive European distribution agreement with the Taiwanese coil handling equipment manufacturer Shung Dar will now see Atkin Automation‘s own specialist coil cutting lines being marketed in China and India.

Atkin Automation has entered into a license agreement which will see Shung Dar manufacturing Atkin Automation transformer coil cutting lines in Taiwan for sale into the rapidly developing power generation markets in China and India.

Atkin Automation transformer core cutting lines have the capability to process 1,000 kg of steel strip which can be up to 250mm wide and 0.30mm thick. The CNC controlled line features a double side coil holder, a pinch roll with loop controls, a servo-rollfeed, hydraulic punch units, a V notch unit and twin shears. A transfer conveyor and a twin hammer-stop stacking system complete this sophisticated line.

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward is highly enthusiastic about this new agreement as he believes it will give Shung Dar the opportunity to showcase his company’s production line design capabilities in the exciting Chinese and Indian marketplaces. He said:

“We have developed a strong commercial relationship with Shung Dar over the last three years, and I believe its marketing campaigns in China and India will quickly generate a growing level of sales for our transformer core cutting lines. I view the future with great confidence.”

The Roll Informer

2007-01-01T11:46:53

Click here to download the Winter 2006/07 customer newsletter of Atkin Automation Limited.

[Please note: file is 438KB PDF]

Atkin Automation identifies £6 million business opportunity at Euroblech

2006-12-01T11:46:10

Atkin Automation Limited, which specialises in the manufacture and supply of high performance coil handling and processing equipment for metal strip, has returned from the Euroblech 2006 event in Hanover, Germany with over £6 million of quantified business opportunities.

Earlier in the year the company had exhibited at the MACH 2006 exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham, but Managing Director Chris Ward said there was very little comparison between the two events:

“ Our stand at both these important industry events was always busy, but the big difference was that at Euroblech many of the people visiting the stand had live projects with budget availability. The fact that most of the detailed equipment quotations we are now issuing as a result of our discussions in Hanover are destined for mainland Europe speaks volumes about the continuing decline of the UK as a mass manufacturing nation.”

With sales growth of over 40%, Atkin Automation has enjoyed considerable success during 2006, including winning two contracts for the development of automated production lines worth a total of over £1.3 million. Chris Ward is now looking for further international sales growth in 2007 saying:

“I anticipate 2007 will see a number of new contracts as a result of our presence at Euroblech and, having recently returned from Shanghai, I expect the company to deliver its first automated production line to China during the next twelve months.”

Vantrunk selects Atkin Automation for new production line

2006-09-01T11:45:30

Vantrunk, the largest all-round UK mainland manufacturer of cable management systems, has placed a major contract with Atkin Automation to develop a new automated ladder side production line for its Runcorn factory.

Chris Ward, Managing Director of Atkin Automation, is delighted the company has won this contract saying:

“ Vantrunk is the sister company of Northern Ireland based Unitrunk Limited, for whom we have designed, developed and installed two automated production lines in the last twelve months. I believe this further investment of £350,000 in Atkin Automation equipment reflects well on our values of design, product quality and customer service and support ”.

He continued:

“ Our expertise in handling steel strip and wire has enabled us to create a global niche market for our products and services. Although we have seen some of our traditional customer base move into Eastern Europe, our recent contract successes indicate there is still a strong metal products manufacturing industry here in the UK.”

The new production line, which will be installed and commissioned by [insert month], will be fed by a 3,000kg coil holder and will handle both mild and stainless steel in sizes of 300mm wide by 2.5mm thick, producing components which will range from 850mm to 6,000mm in length.

Eden Industries (UK) Limited creates record order success for Atkin Automation

2006-08-01T11:44:11

Atkin Automation is currently experiencing a record order book for any period in its history, having won contracts worth £1,328,000 in June 2006 alone. A major contributor to this achievement is Eden Industries (UK) Limited, whose business is going through a major investment programme in order to support their continued status of being the preferred choice for major retailers within the Uk and Europe. Eden has recently placed an order worth £932,000.

The new order is for an automated production line to manufacture back panels for use in supermarket shelving and it will be entirely UK designed and manufactured. It consists of Atkin press feed equipment incorporating a 10,000 kg decoiler feeding a run of three notching units; three Atkin BFP-80 hydraulic presses; a shear; two sets of side benders and an end bender; and an automatic pick and place system to remove surplus blanks from the line, which are replaced during coil changes to ensure almost 100% utilisation. The line also includes a facility to produce fully perforated panels.

The line has the capacity to produce ten complete panels a minute from mild steel, stainless or coated, with a thickness of between 0.5mm to 1.3mm and up to 600mm wide. The longest panel formed is 1350mm.

Atkin Automation Managing Director
Chris Ward

Atkin Automation Managing Director, Chris Ward, sees this order as an confirmation of the company’s growing reputation, saying:

“This latest order from Eden Industries represents a continuing development of the close association between Eden and Atkin Automation. As a company, we constantly strive to develop relationships with our customers based on the quality of our design, team-work, customer service and value for money.
Bearing in mind that this is a repeat order, I think we are succeeding.”

MACH 2006 Exhibition Report

2006-05-01T11:42:30

MACH 2006 was the first major UK exhibition where Atkin Automation exhibited the Shung Dar range of coil handling and processing equipment since gaining European distribution rights from the Taiwanese manufacturer late in 2004.

The company welcomed many visitors to its stand in the Metalworking Village in Hall 4 where they were able to see a working demonstration of the new Shung Dar 3-in-1 press feed system, alongside an Atkin Servo Roll Feed.

The new Shung Dar model combines three machines in one – coil holder, leveller and roll feed. It can be loaded with coils of up to 5,000 kilos and it will handle strip between 0.3mm and 4.5mm thick and up to 600mm in width. With a run rate of 18 metres per minute and a capability of achieving 92 feeds per minute (100mm pitch), this new machine was of particular interest to manufacturers where production floor space is at a premium.

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist high performance coil handling and processing products. Using its expertise in the control of steel strip, Atkin Automation has for some years also supplied purpose-designed and built automated production line equipment for a wide range of metal component manufacturers.

STOP PRESS
Since the exhibition during May 2006, the company has won new contracts worth over £1.3 million which is enabling it to create new jobs at its factory in Thetford, Norfolk.

Atkin Automation ‘first’ with Shung Dar at MACH 2006

2006-03-01T11:40:40

MACH 2006 (NEC, Birmingham 15th-19th May 2006) is the first major UK exhibition where Atkin Automation will exhibit the Shung Dar range of coil handling and processing equipment since gaining European distribution rights from the Taiwanese manufacturer late in 2004.

The company anticipates that manufacturers from a wide range of industry sectors which process metal sheet and strip as part of a volume production process will visit its stand (4930) in the Metalworking Village in Hall 4. There they will be able to see a working demonstration of the new Shung Dar 3-in-1 press feed system, alongside an Atkin Servo Roll Feed and a CNC controlled lubrication system.

The new Shung Dar model combines three machines in one – coil holder, leveller and roll feed. It can be loaded with coils of up to 5,000 kilos and it will handle strip between 0.3mm and 4.5mm thick and up to 600mm in width. With a run rate of 18 metres per minute and a capability of achieving 92 feeds per minute (100mm pitch), this new machine is expected to be of particular interest to manufacturers where production floor space is at a premium.

Helped by its involvement with Shung Dar, Atkin Automation has won several major new equipment supply contracts during the first quarter of 2006, and Managing Director Chris Ward commented:

“The company prides itself on being a modern, flexible supplier of capital equipment which is designed to meet the needs of 21st century manufacturers. The Shung Dar range sits comfortable alongside our traditional products and enables us to meet demanding capital budgets and cost of ownership criteria”.

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist high performance coil handling and processing products. Using its expertise in the control of steel strip, Atkin Automation has for some years also supplied purpose-designed and built automated production line equipment for a wide range of metal component manufacturers.

Atkin Automation success with Shung Dar for Teco Building Products

2006-01-01T11:38:50

Atkin Automation’s exclusive European distribution agreement with Taiwanese manufacturer Shung Dar is proving highly successful, with a growing number of British manufacturers enjoying the benefits of highly cost effective, yet extremely flexible, solutions to a range of coil handling and processing applications.

The first Shung Dar installation at Teco Building Products.

The contract from Ron Sammons Limited for a press feed line at its Brighton based Teco Building Products plant was one of the first UK installations to feature the combination of traditional Atkin Automation and Shung Dar equipment. It has now been operational for nearly twelve months, and the close involvement of the customer during the development of the bespoke system operating software, an option which has been facilitated by the use of the Atkin servo roll feed, has resulted in a highly successful implementation.

The 3,000 kg capacity press feed line features a Shung Dar LV4/800 coil holder coupled to an Atkin/BHP RF100/800 servo roll feed which handles steel strip up to 800mm wide and 3.2mm thick. This combination of equipment was supplied and installed within the budget of £45,000, with installation costs being greatly reduced through the use of a ‘2 in 1’ coil holder and leveller which provides for easy positioning and fixing.

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward is very enthusiastic about the company’s recent Shung Dar installations, commenting:

“Teco Building Products was among our first UK Shung Dar users. This press feed line is a classic example of the way in which we can integrate Shung Dar products with traditional Atkin/BHP equipment to provide manufacturers with high-quality, yet cost-effective applications. In fact the customer is so pleased with the first line he has ordered a second 2,000 kg capacity press feed line, again using a combination of Shung Dar and Atkin Automation equipment.”

He continued: “ Since the announcement of our exclusive European distribution agreement with Shung Dar in September 2004, we have received an unprecedented level of enquiries from all over Europe. The combination of cost, quality and expertise is proving to be of great appeal to industrial equipment buyers.”

Atkin Automation goes to Europe with Shung Dar

2005-08-01T11:37:10

Atkin Automation chose last week’s MSV 2004 engineering showcase event in Brno, Czech Republic to announce an exclusive distribution agreement with Taiwanese manufacturer Shung Dar. This sees the company supplying this manufacturer’s range of coil handling and processing equipment throughout the newly expanded EU (with the exception of Germany and Turkey).

Shung Dar products offer a highly cost effective, yet flexible solution to a range of general engineering applications associated with coil handling and processing. All equipment is being manufactured to customer specification in Taiwan, after which it is shipped to Atkin Automation’s factory in England, where its team of engineers undertake inspection and final testing, before proceeding with site installation and commissioning.

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its manufacture of the W.T.Atkin and BHP range of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment. In recent years it has also supplied purpose-built automated production lines for a wide range of metal components.

Chris Ward

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward (right) is looking to build a European network of agents who can work with the company to ensure the Shung Dar product range achieves significant EU market penetration over the next three years. Announcing the company’s distribution agreement in Brno, he said: “MSV 2004 is the ideal springboard for the start of our pro-active Shung Dar European marketing campaign. The products sit comfortably along side our own WT Atkin and BHP ranges, now enabling us to offer equipment options which can reflect application feature and performance requirements whilst meeting budget and cost considerations.”

Q1/05 sales high at Atkin Automation

2005-05-01T11:36:06

Atkin Automation has started 2005 with a sustained period of sales growth. Securing the exclusive European distribution agreement with Taiwanese manufacturer, Shung Dar, has contributed to Atkin Automation winning contracts worth in excess of £720,000 from across its product ranges.

A major contract of note is for a bespoke, £250,000 plus production line from Unitrunk Limited, a cable tray and trunk manufacturer; other contracts have come from both existing customers as well as from manufacturers who will be first time users of Atkin Automation equipment.

Chris Ward, Managing Director of Atkin Automation, is delighted with the company’s strong sales in the first quarter of 2005. He comments: “Atkin Automation closed the first quarter on a sales-high. I believe our success is due both to the company’s commitment to delivering innovative industrial solutions from its wide range of products and a stable economic climate.”

He continues: “British manufacturers are realising that Atkin Automation has the ability to supply highly complex, fully automated, bespoke production lines capable of meeting the needs of many industry sectors.”

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its design and manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment. In recent years it has also supplied purpose-built automated production lines for a wide range of metal components.

Atkin Automation grows in Eastern Europe

2005-05-01T11:34:48

Having already appointed sales agents in Poland and Czech Republic since securing the European distribution rights for the Shung Dar range of Taiwanese coil handling equipment in late 2004, Atkin Automation has now appointed a Latvian agent - Machinery Latvia - based in Riga.

Machinery Latvia is a subsidiary of a large Finnish company which also operates in Lithuania and Estonia. With a wealth of knowledge and experience of the Latvian metal industry, it will be responsible for the sales and marketing of the Shung Dar and Atkin/BHP products and automation solutions throughout Latvia, which is one of the EU countries with greatest growth potential.

As well as installing and commissioning new equipment, Machinery Latvia’s engineers will provide a technical support service to ensure users gain the maximum production benefit from their investment.

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment. The Shung Dar products sit comfortably alongside its existing range and enable the company to offer highly cost effective equipment options which reflect individual application feature and performance requirements.

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward sees the development of successful sales agents across Eastern Europe as being key to the company’s growth strategy, saying: “Huge investment is being made into the economies of those former Eastern Block countries which have recently joined the EU, and this is already starting to create major sales opportunities for our products and solutions.”

He continued: “We shall now be working closely with Machinery Latvia to help it achieve early sales success, and I hope to be able to announce further agency appointments in Eastern Europe very shortly.”

Continued success for Atkin Automation with building and construction component manufacturers

2005-03-01T11:31:40

Since becoming the exclusive European distributor of the Shung Dar range of coil handling and process equipment late last year, Atkin Automation has achieved growing success with UK building and construction component manufacturers.

Its latest sales contract from this industry sector is from Parkes Products Limited, a major manufacturer of builders’ fittings (www.parkesgroup.co.uk), and is worth in excess of £120,000. The company has ordered a bespoke press feed line for installation in its busy Thetford factory during July 2005.

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward is very pleased with the sales growth of the Shung Dar range, saying: “Work has already commenced on the detailed design of the Parkes press feed line. The Shung Dar equipment will arrive from Taiwan in early July and we shall assemble and test the line in our factory prior to site installation and
commissioning at Parkes later that month.”

He continued: “Shung Dar equipment offers cost effective, yet highly flexible engineering solutions to a range of coil handling and processing applications, and over the last six months we have enjoyed considerable success with building component manufacturers. I believe the company’s ability to integrate Shung Dar products into automated production lines plays a major part in this success.”

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its design and manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment. The Shung Dar range sits comfortably alongside these traditional products, enabling the company to offer a wider range of solutions to control steel strip applications to suit most capital investment programmes.

Atkin Automation wins major contract from Unitrunk

2005-03-01T11:30:05

Atkin Automation has won a major contract worth over £250,000 from the Northern Ireland based cable tray and trunking manufacturer, Unitrunk Limited.

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward confirmed that work will start immediately on the detailed design of this bespoke production line in order to ensure that the Thetford factory meets the August 2005 site installation timetable.

The development of this production line, which will be used to manufacture light and medium duty cable trays, will involve Atkin Automation in the manufacture of a press feed line which it will then integrate with Chin Fong presses and swaging stations and a roll former from the Italian company Gasparini. All the line engineering, controls and interface systems to create a fully automated line will be provided by Atkin Automation’s team of specialist engineers and technicians.

Chris Ward is delighted the company has won this contract, saying: “Although Unitrunk has used Atkin press feed and coil processing equipment for many years, we faced stiff competition for this contract. I believe the combination of our product quality and reliability, together with our ability to undertake the complex integration process to provide a fully automated production line, was key to our success.”

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment. It recently gained the exclusive European distribution rights to the Shung Dar range of Taiwanese coil handling and processing equipment, which sits comfortably alongside the company’s traditional products.

Atkin Automation to develop new business in Czech Republic and Slovakia

2004-10-01T11:26:43

Having secured the European distribution rights for the Shung Dar range of Taiwanese coil handling equipment in late 2004, Atkin Automation has now established its sales, installation and support network in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Atkin Automation takes Shung Dar
to Europe.

Kolin based B & B Industry will be responsible for the marketing and promotion of the Shung Dar and Atkin range of products and automation solutions. It is a well respected company with an in depth understanding of the equipment needs of the metal and general engineering industries in both countries. The company already has a strong customer base for its range of high quality motors, gears, chains and drives.

Prerov based Bukacek Electro will undertake the service and support for all the Shung Dar and Atkin equipment and systems sold by B & B Industry in both countries. The company’s engineers will play a vital back-up role, installing and commissioning new machinery as well providing comprehensive service and technical support to ensure the highest levels of production output.

Atkin Automation’s international reputation has been built over many years around its manufacture of the Atkin and BHP range of specialist, high performance coil handling and processing products and equipment. The Shung Dar products sit comfortably alongside its existing range and enable the company to offer highly cost effective equipment options which reflect individual application feature and performance requirements.

Atkin Automation Managing Director Chris Ward sees the establishment of sales and service networks which can work with the metal industry in those countries which have recently joined the EU as a major business opportunity, saying:

“My recent visits to Eastern Europe have shown me that there is a huge need for reliable, cost effective metal handling equipment. As well as working closely with our agents in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to help them exceed their sales targets, over the next few months we shall also be working in countries such as Hungary and Latvia to identify companies which have the right profile to act as our agents.”