Friction welder Thompson celebrates £5 million-plus order haul

The Halesowen-based firm has is to supply its award-winning equipment and a range of associated engineering services to component makers in Asia, Europe and the Pacific Rim. Truck parts manufacturers in China have ordered two machines, with another three models destined for a construction machine maker's factories in Italy and Australia. "In spite of the tough economic climate, we're delighted to have secured this impressive amount of new orders, which includes some from existing customers who remain loyal because of our track record for quality equipment and high levels of customer support," said Peter Lovegrove, Thompson's operations director. Thompson, the holder of a Queen's Award for Enterprise, has already sold a large number of machines this year to customers in the automotive, construction machine, oil and gas exploration sectors. The company recently supplied an automated friction welding system capable of producing more than 150,000 axles a year to the world's largest automotive axle maker, Fuwa, for its factory in China. Pictured: Operations director Peter Lovegrove (left, second row) with members of Thompson's global sales team