Newark Steel Firm Gears Up for Fourth Industrial Revolution With HSBC UK Support

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 10 May 2019

Newark-based steel fabrication business, Blagg & Johnson, has invested in two new automated machines that lower energy usage, achieve faster processing speeds and increase processing capability following £1.2m of funding from HSBC UK.

The machines, with advanced automation capabilities, are installed with the latest software interface and offer computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD CAM) solutions. This will help Blagg & Johnson embrace the fourth industrial revolution - Industry 4.0 – which is the trend towards automation and data sharing. The machines use an intelligent learning database to automatically control sizing capabilities without manual intervention.
The firm is a leading supplier of pressed metal sections and fabrications to the agricultural, building and vehicle industries. The new machines, a laser cutting machine and a press brake, will help increase capacity by at least 30 per cent and are 50 per cent more energy efficient. This is because the machines can cut more accurate shapes and press bigger sheets of metal more quickly than the business’ older models.

Blagg & Johnson estimates that these efficiencies will enable the business to double turnover over the next five years.
Graham Hodges, Managing Director of Blagg & Johnson, said:

“The investment in these two machines makes us more competitive as we’re able to offer additional services for customers as well as provide faster processing times. Thanks to the support of our HSBC UK Relationship Manager, Ian Green, we’re well on our way to meeting our five-year growth plan as well as increase turnover by 100 per cent.”

Paul Armstrong, Area Director for Business Banking in Lincolnshire, HSBC UK, said:

“We’ve supported Blagg & Johnson for nearly 50 years and so we’re thrilled to have been able to help them invest in these state-of-the-art-machines. The business has a history of adapting to new times, moving from brickwork to steel several years ago, and now moving firmly into the digital age."

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