In the 12 months to January 2021, Accu applied AccuLock – its anti-corrosion thread locking patches – to more than £1m-worth of screws; an average of 77 products per hour.
With intentions to grow turnover from £7m to £20m within the two years to 2023, this figure is set to increase threefold.
To assist in maintaining its high-quality stance, Huddersfield-based Accu decided to invest in a semi-automated patching rig and move away from a manual, laborious process.
The new equipment is able to patch multiple screws per minute, and has increased Accu’s throughput by 360%, meaning that customers will not experience longer lead times as demand increases. It has also improved quality, accuracy, efficiency and OTIF, and has resulted in cost savings of approximately £20,000 per year.
Co-founder Antony Kitson said: “The investment is a commercially attractive one and aligns with our commitment for continual improvement alongside growth, whilst offering clear benefits to our customers.
“Recent industry figures from the CBI indicate a general feeling of optimism in the manufacturing sector with many firms planning to raise their spending in the coming months. The tax super-deduction on outlay in machinery and equipment makes it an attractive time to purchase, and our aim is to support firms as they embark on new projects and investments.”
