AK Precision invests in machines and people, supported by Mills CNC

Says Tracy Read, director at AK Precision: "Like most manufacturers, we were not immune from the recent economic downturn. But we were determined not to reduce our headcount or compromise the core business principles and values of value, quality, reliability and service that help differentiate us from the competition." And the company reports that demand for its high quality, competitively priced subcontract machining services has never been higher, with orders from existing, and a growing number of new, customers at record levels. First established in 2002, Great Yarmouth-based AK Precision has experienced significant growth in its nine year history – current headcount is 21 versus the original three. During that time the company has installed six Doosan machines from Mill s CNC, the latest being a TT 1800SY (twin turret/twin spindle) multi-axis turning centre, installed at the company's 10,000 sq ft facility in April 2011. Explains Ms Read: "The TT 1800SY gives us extra capacity and increased manufacturing flexibility and productivity. "The machine, with its twin-turret and twin-spindle technology, its (+/-50-mm) Y-axis and driven tooling, allows us to manufacture complex parts quicker (often in one set-up) – and this helps us maintain part accuracies (due to less work-handling) and meet the tight customer deadlines we work to. Also important in the decision-making process was the relationship that exists between both companies (AK Precision and Mills CNC), that Ms Read describes as being "excellent". Running concurrently with AK Precision's machine tool investment is the company's investment in its people. "Training our people is vital. We know how difficult it is to get the skilled staff we require and, as such, have embarked on an ambitious training programme for our staff," adds the director. As well as training its machine operators to become skilled and adept at running its machines, AK Precision takes a more long-term and strategic view to training. This has seen the company develop its own in-house apprentice programme aimed at school leavers, and encourage its machine operators to take that extra step forward into CNC programming. Over the last four months, AK Precision has enrolled seven of its staff on two or three-day Fanuc Turning courses at the CNC Training Academy. Concludes Ms Read: "We use the CNC Training Academy for our operator and programmer training. The Fanuc courses provided by the Academy are comprehensive, professionally-delivered and represent good value. "We are up-skilling our workforce to make us more competitive and to demonstrate to our people that AK Precision, with their help, has the drive and potential to become even more successful." Image: AK Precision Precision apprentices with the new Doosan TT 1800SY machine