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Recent Press Release
June 2011
TEN NEW STAFF FOR FLOURISHING ENGINEERING FIRM
A flourishing precision engineering firm has invested heavily in new equipment and launched a recruitment drive after an encouraging start to 2011.
Black Country-based Midland Tool and Design has purchased Bruderer presses, cylindrical grinders, and heat-treatment facilities, after winning contracts in the aerospace, medical and analytical industries.
And the success of their Modulam prototyping tool, which has brought in an additional four projects in the 12 months since launch, is now encouraging them to diversify into the bonding, riveting and laser-welding of lamination packs and offering a complete motor stator service.
To prepare for the anticipated increase in work, and cater for existing projects, they have created 10 new posts, adding to the seven new staff recruited last year. This will increase the workforce to 45.
Managing Director Darren Booton said: “We've had a very busy year so far and have a number of projects coming up, so we've invested in our machinery and workforce.”
“We will be developing our partnership with Dudley College later in the year, to bring in more apprentices.”
Further information will be posted on the company's website: www.mtdltd.co.uk.
Midland Tool and Design was established in 1969 and specialises in supplying precision components to a wide range of companies in aerospace, medical and automotive engineering. They currently employ 35 people at their headquarters in Tipton, West Midlands.
Media enquiries should be directed to Richard Swancott Associates on 01782 472035 or info@richardswancottassociates.co.uk.
February 2011
PARTNERSHIP TO BREED NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS
Midland Tool and Design has joined forces with Dudley College in a bid to reverse the decline in the take-up of engineering apprenticeships in the West Midlands.
The Black Country firm has established the partnership to help aspiring engineers gain NVQ qualifications and practical on-the-job experience. They will spend one day a week at the college, picking up basic engineering skills, and the rest at MTD's headquarters.
A busy year for the company, with turnover likely to be up 50% on 2009 (to around £3m), has encouraged them to expand their 35-strong workforce.
And while they added nine new staff in 2010, bosses were surprised at the lack of West Midlands youngsters looking for apprenticeships.
MD Darren Booton said: “Engineering apprenticeships are becoming more popular around the country, apparently, but this has not been the case in our experience.”
It's a subject which is very close to Darren's heart, as he started his engineering career as an apprentice tool-maker at West Bromwich-based Berck in 1981.
He said: “The need for apprentices in our industry has never been greater as manufacturing and engineering are making strong recoveries from the recession.”
“And we thought in the country's manufacturing heartland – the West Midlands – we would have no shortage of suitable applicants.”
“Sadly that's not happened, so we teamed up with Dudley College to help grow our own business and benefit the region's manufacturing sector as a whole.”
The Tipton firm has already taken on their first apprentice, 19-year-old Gareth Vickers, and will be looking to add another two or three in 2011.
The move is part of a larger recruitment drive, which will see the workforce increase to 45. Ten new posts have been created in all, including those specifically for apprentices. The company is particularly looking for press operators.
Much of their success in 2010 came after they gained the AS9100 accreditation, which has brought in several projects related to the A380 Airbus, and launched Modulam, their unique prototyping system.
They have also been heavily involved in work for the New York underground system.
Further details can be found at www.mtdltd.co.uk.
July 2010
PRESTIGIOUS ACCREDITATION HAS MIDLAND TOOL AND DESIGN SOARING
Midland Tool and Design (MTD) have been approved for the industrial industry accreditation AS9100.
The accreditation is a rare achievement in British engineering and highlights the fact that the Tipton based company provide products made to the highest quality standard.
Established in 1969, the award will provide MTD with international recognition for their precision engineered components that are used within the aerospace industry.
The AS9100 looks to standardise the quality system requirements throughout the aerospace industry so that manufacturers produce top quality products for the lowest cost.
Managing Director Darren Booton said: “This accreditation puts us in a good position when looking for work and it also enables us to provide products to the top tier of the industry.”
Half of the £26,000 required to gain the accreditation was provided by the government's Manufacturing Advisory Service, who are also backing the company's bid to aim for the SC21 accreditation.
The MAS' SC21 Project Manager Cliff Johnson said: “Any company serious about operating in the aerospace and defence sector needs to engage with and deploy the methodologies of SC21.”
“From the outset MTD has shown a strategic commitment to develop within the sector, and we at MAS West Midlands took the view that supporting the company through the AWM and ERDF-funded SC21 programme and AS/EN9100 was critical to its effective growth and further market sector penetration.
“AS/EN 9100 is the sector specific Quality Management System which many in the industry consider, if not a pre-requisite, a significant differentiator when it comes to winning new business.
“In deploying the nationally recognised SC21 programme, this further aligns MTD with the needs of its target customers and at the same time provides a vehicle for continuous improvement so vital to becoming globally competitive.”
For more information visit the company's website: www.mtdltd.co.uk.
Media enquiries should be directed to Richard Swancott Associates on 01782 472035 or info@richardswancottassociates.co.uk.
December 2009
MTD’s MODULAM SYSTEM TO REVOLUTIONISE PRECISION ENGINEERING SECTOR
Precision engineering specialists Midland Tool and Design have launched a new system which will revolutionise the industry’s approach to tooling.
The company’s Modulam system, available since December, will reduce conventional tooling costs by up to 50%. Bosses believe Modulam’s potential is so great the brand name will soon become eponymous with this approach to tooling.
The lower costs ensure less time is spent in manufacturing, thereby cutting lead times, and the accuracy of the system eliminates the need to re-qualify parts at the production stage – all prototypes produced are to the customer’s final specification.
Managing Director Darren Booton said: “Modulam will make a massive difference to costs and lead times, without any impact on product quality – regardless of the quantities manufactured.
“It combines a unique tooling holder, which can be used in either our Bruderer 50 tonne, 60 tonne or Bliss 200 tonne presses, with bespoke tooling elements designed and manufactured in-house.
“These elements can be made from steel or carbide, depending on the client’s requirements.”
The Tipton-based company, which celebrated its 40th birthday in October, specialises in designing and manufacturing components for mechanical and electrical engineering firms.
MTD work in a wide range of sectors including aerospace, motorsports and medical. For further information please call or submit your enquiry through the website Contact page.
