The independently-owned stockholder originally operated from an 11-acre site in Kentford, near Newmarket, Suffolk, that has a daily turnover of 350 tonnes.
Output at the £13 million Henstridge site is growing rapidly month by month with the goal to achieve 500 tons per day within five years by increasing shift patterns from one to three to fully exploit the potential of the Ficep steel processing machinery.
The eight new Ficep machines in operation at AJN include an Endeavour multi-spindle drilling line; the Gemini gantry drilling, milling and thermal cutting system for plates; several Katana high-speed bandsaws; the Rapid high speed drilling line for angles and flats; a shot blasting machine; a second Endeavour machine.
A detailed time study analysis determined that a 48 minute job on the old machinery now takes under five minutes on the Endeavour. Productivity has been further enhanced by the Gemini, said to be the most versatile machining centre for the processing of plate products. The Rapid now allows AJN to drill and cut angles, a new service.
From the very start AJN were looking to source all the machines from the one supplier to ensure continuity of support. It was only after in-depth research by AJN and numerous trips around world to access the different machine manufacturers and visiting many sites that the decision was made to go with Ficep.
Courtney Bell, AJN finance director, says: “When we decided to expand the into a new site we were looking for the very best equipment available. Ficep were the ones who offered us the best solutions after a considerable review of existing and new suppliers. The capacity and performance of the new facility has exceeded all expectations. Ficep has lived up to all our requirements in terms of delivery, commissioning, machine capability and customer support.”
