Fastems appointment to drive automation sales

Mr Salisbury (pictured, right) underwent a machining apprenticeship at NIS in Chorley and was promoted to project engineer, before moving to BAE Samlesbury and subsequently joining Fastems. Steve Malone (pictured, left) remains managing director of Fastems' UK subsidiary, but has taken on the additional role of Global Aerospace Account Manager. In this newly created position, he is responsible for factory automation sales into the aerospace industry worldwide. The company already has a significant installed base within primes, such as Boeing and Bombardier; first tier suppliers like BAE Systems and Pratt & Whitney; and further along the aerospace supply chain. That said, Fastems regards the sector as holding significant growth potential, as it needs to deliver a large amount of output over the next decade, and automation can help deliver the production quantities needed. Says Mr Malone: "We needed a technically capable engineer to assist with sales activities in the UK and Ireland. "Anthony was the ideal candidate, due in part to his experience at BAE, where he project managed two of the largest FMS installations Fastems has ever supplied, each with eight machining centres and a 1,600-position central tool store." Mr Salisbury adds: "I have a great admiration for Fastems, the quality of its products and its ability to deliver complex systems reliably and on time. "As a customer, I visited the factory in Finland more than a dozen times, so was able to see first-hand how the company works. "I am a firm believer in automation and what it can offer manufacturing industry, and am looking forward to promoting Fastems solutions in this market."