Safan E-Brake press brake boosts productivity at Harlow Group

Selected after a visit to the EuroBlech 2010 exhibition, the decision to buy a Safan machine sees Harlow Group move away from its established press brake supplier. "The arrival of the Safan E-Brake in April 2011 is the first in a programme to replace all nine of our existing press brakes over the coming years," said the Essex-based company's manufacturing director, Marc Boulden. "To be honest, we were nearly sold on another machine, but a trip to EuroBlech in Hanover last October opened our eyes to the virtues of Safan technology. The demonstration was very impressive and, ultimately, we decided that Safan were in the running." Subsequent discussions with Safan's UK team saw Harlow Group visit a couple of existing E-Brake users. "Safan told me that I wouldn't require the expenditure of a service contract, as their machines never break down," Mr Boulden explained. "When the existing customers we visited were able to verify this fact – one hadn't had any problems in 10 years – I was sold. "Reducing set-up times is particularly fundamental for our business, especially moving forward," he added. "I want Harlow Group customers to get what they want, when they want it, and in the quantity desired. Batches are getting smaller and lead-times are shortening to meet increasingly rapid time-to-market. It's no longer commercially viable to simply accept that a press brake takes a while to set-up. We want to apply the Formula One tyre-change model to press brake operations – and the Safan E-Brake is the nearest currently available. It's very easy to program and use, which is vital because sheet metal forming has been a black art for too long. With the E-Brake, no special knowledge is required." Harlow Group has acheived 25% sales growth since Mr Boulden and two fellow directors completed an MBO around six years ago. Today, the company is a 24-7 operation that employs 104 people – up 9% in the past 12 months – and is now looking to take on its first two apprentices later this year. Furthermore, the company is two years into a five-year rolling programme that will see it invest around £100,000 per annum moving forward.