Having recently received financial support from NatWest and Lombard, Halesowen-based BMI Engineering (www.bmi-engineering.co.uk) is ready to start production runs on its new £300,000 lathe from Metra CNC Ltd.

The company, which specialises in repetition turned parts, fittings and plugs for the automotive, agricultural and hydraulics sectors, expects to increase its workforce from 27 to 35.

Production manager Chris Peare said: “This is a major milestone for our business; it really sets us apart from the competition, both in the UK and overseas. We have worked very closely with Metra CNC to develop the 6.45 CXZ, with our engineers contributing to the design to make sure that we get the most out of it.

"So far, we have run two quick orders on it to see what it can do and have been amazed by the results. One example saw it manufacture in just 7.5sec a part that previously took 70sec to produce.”

The Metra machine is just one part of a £600,000 investment drive by BMI Engineering, which has also seen the installation of a Star SR32J sliding-head lathe and a Miyano seven-axis turning centre. These acquisitions complement 27 multi-spindle machines at its 20,000sq ft facility.

Mr Peare added: “Clients tend to use us to solve manufacturing problems, and we have one of the best reputations for being able to re-engineer parts to eradicate quality concerns or speed up production runs.”

Mr Peare said that the deal to purchase the Metra machine “owed much” to the company’s “strong working relationship” with NatWest relationship director Richard Dowen.

The latter said: “We are delighted to have come up with a solution between the bank and Lombard that allows BMI Engineering to acquire this machine. It will increase capacity significantly and — importantly — pushes the firm into new markets.”