Coleshill-based Sertec, a supplier to automotive giant Jaguar Land Rover, has invested in 12 Zani Motion Master presses from Bruderer UK Ltd, Birmingham, to meet the increased volume demands of JLR.

The first-tier supplier, which secured a £20 million investment from the Business Growth Fund and Lloyds Bank in February, has embarked on a three-year modernisation programme.

Adrian Haller, managing director of Bruderer UK, said: “We have been the exclusive UK sales, spare parts and service provider for Zani of Italy for more than two years; this is, without doubt, the biggest deal we’ve ever agreed. Our specialists were invited in by Sertec to look at an upgrade plan for part of its press shop. We looked closely at its requirements, the end application and its predictions of volumes going forward.

“Zani presses — renowned for their durability, their precision and their ability toprolong tool life — have been used by Sertec for more than 20 years. It started out as six machines but quickly grew to 12, with all of them being fitted with coil lines and servo feeds.”

Dave Steggles, managing director of Sertec Group, said: “We expect to grow our £197 million turnover significantly in 2016, and the key to continuing this momentum is to ensure that we are investing in our technology and our
capability. This project is unprecedented in terms of size. It’s a learning curve, but one we’ll complete and one that will deliver greater quality, manufacturing performance and capacity to our customers.”

Sertec produces over three million parts per week from aluminium and steel across its five operating sites in Birmingham. The business has enjoyed significant growth over the last eight years, with sales rising from £40 million in 2008 to nearly £200 million today.