Draeger Safety UK invests in future growth
27/03/2013 Draeger Safety UK Limited
Draeger Safety UK Ltd. has completed a multi-million pound investment in its Blyth-based operations, as the company continues its growth and diversification into new and existing markets.The company, which employs over 400 people in the UK, has continued to make a significant investment in the site, in its people, and in systems to ensure it remains one of the leading manufacturers in the North East and the UK.
The investment includes a £1.3m refurbishment of the manufacturing plant, and nearly £500k in new robotic equipment and warehouse management systems. It takes place at an exciting time for Draeger Safety UK, with the company recently winning the prestigious Institute of Mechanical Engineers' Manufacturing Excellence Overall 2012 award.
Work has included a complete electrical rewire with upgraded lighting, replacement and upgraded heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, reformatted workspaces, fully redecorated and upgraded internal floor, wall and ceiling finishes, external wall cladding and a new roof covering on one of the buildings.
Head of Operations Region Europe at Draeger Safety UK, Malcolm Irving commented: "The refurbishment of the Blyth manufacturing plant will ensure that Dräger continues to develop and manufacture safety solutions as well as meeting and exceeding current compliance regulations".
He added: "The company has also purchased new robotics equipment which will support the manufacture of compressed air breathing cylinders, which are used in a range of industry sectors and specifically in applications where normal breathing becomes difficult or impossible".
In the manufacturing area, three new production cells have been installed and will significantly reduce the direct cost of composite cylinder production, lower the environmental impact of the cylinder production process and improve the working conditions for cylinder production operators. These will also reduce health risks for operators and ensure repeatable quality without reliance on lengthy operator training.
Also forming part of the investment is the implementation of a new warehouse management system which uses bar-code and hand held scanner technology, ensuring systems and processes are efficient and effective.
Mike Norris, Managing Director at Draeger Safety UK Ltd., said: "Our products and services protect lives and infrastructure. It's therefore vital that we continually invest in our own infrastructure, systems and processes to ensure quality and safety at the highest level.
"Our business is flexible and adaptable to the different markets that we work within. This allows us to offer market confidence, reliability and unique safety solutions. This can only be achieved through investment.
"We are also looking to widen and deepen our reach in markets such as fire and rescue, law enforcement, oil gas and petrochemical, as well as the chemical and general industry sectors. This will further strengthen the business, enabling the company to continue its year on year growth, sustain and increase employment opportunities and support a rising number of market sectors".
To find out more about Draeger Safety UK, visit www.draeger.com
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