Thompson Friction Welding to remain in UK

The decision to retain its headquarters in Halesowen, West Midlands, and safeguard the jobs of over 80 staff follows the completion of a strategic review of its operations by owner KUKA Systems. As well as a UK headquarters in Halesowen, Thompson has offices in China and the United States, as well as an international network of agents Peter Lovegrove, previously Thompson's operations director, has been appointed interim managing director after Alan Shilton decided to step down from his chief executive role. "After a thorough review of our automation and mechanical engineering businesses and consideration of a number of options, it has been decided to maintain Thompson's manufacturing facility in the UK," said Larry Drake, president and CEO of parent company, KUKA Systems. "It signals our confidence that the company can tackle the future and that its dedicated workforce is capable of ensuring a successful business," he added. The announcement coincides with the news that the award-winning friction welding machine manufacturer has secured a bumper crop of new orders. The contracts won by Thompson's sales team, headed by global sales manager Nick Edge, include a trio of multiple machine orders for customers in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The machines will be used to join a wide variety of components for car and truck makers, construction vehicle manufacturers as well as producers of mineral and gas exploration equipment Thompson, holder of a Queen's Award for Enterprise, designs and manufactures a range of rotary and linear friction welding machines. It also operates one of Europe's largest sub-contract friction welding facilities, which offers a flexible supply option for small, medium and large batch sizes.