Based in Smethwick, West Midlands, A&M EDM provides precision engineering and EDM capabilities. West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, was invited to commission new equipment from an investment of £750,000 in 2018. Arrivals included a 5-axis Hurco CNC machining centre, two spark eroders, a Hitachi handheld analyser for alloy identification and Renishaw laser calibration equipment to enable the preventative maintenance of 22 CNC machining centres. The investment was part funded by a £50,000 grant from the Black Country LEP Growing Priority Sectors fund. A&M also recruited 10 extra staff in 2018, taking the current workforce to 67.
The Mayor saw demonstrations of A&M’s CNC machining, quality inspection, and spark and wire erosion capabilities for aerospace, automotive, Formula One and production assembly customers. He commissioned the 5-axis Hurco machining centre, met apprentices at work, discussed skills development and the role of advanced manufacturing and engineering as the dynamo of the West Midlands Industrial Strategy.
“As an advanced manufacturing SME committed to sustained investment in new machinery, process innovation, and developing apprentices and skills, A&M is a dynamic symbol of the West Midlands Economic Strategy in action,” says Street. “The company demonstrates SMEs can access government support by working in partnership with LEPs and local authorities.”
The Mayor was presented with a memento of his visit, which was produced using A&M’s capabilities.Electrodes were wired to cut the lettering, while an embossed West Midlands Combined Authority logo was created by spark eroding the shape.
Mark Wingfield, managing director of A&M says: “It was a privilege to host the Mayor and discuss the importance of supply chain SMEs to competitive manufacturing in the West Midlands. We value working in partnership with the public sector; the Growing Priority Sectors grant enabled us to accelerate investment and create new engineering jobs. We will continue investing in our capabilities, skills and apprentices.”
