Gateshead-based Express Oil & Gas (
www..express-engineering.co.uk) has acquired an additional Mazak Integrex i-400 multi-tasking machine tool from Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd (
www.mazakeu.com) to form part of a new manufacturing cell producing valve components.
The new machine will combine the operations of two existing machines into a single process, thereby offering a “significant” productivity improvement.
Express has a long association with Mazak; as recently as 2014, it acquired a number of very large multi-tasking centres, including the first Integrex e-800 series machine to be installed in the UK.
Commercial director Neil Ransom said: “We have a long-standing policy of continuous improvement in our manufacturing operations, and we are constantly analysing our production processes to reduce costs wherever possible.
“The investment in the Integrex multi-tasking machine will streamline our production process, allowing cycle-time
improvements across a variety of sub-sea components. The efficiency benefits will enable us to remain profitable and competitive during this challenging period for the oil and gas market.
“Our strategy — to invest in the latest machining technology — will ensure that we can deliver the best-value option for our customers, and as the market recovers from the downturn, we will be in a strong position to offer the most efficient capacity available in the precision machining sector.”
Mark Ireland, area sales manager for Yamazaki Mazak, said: “Mazak has an excellent relationship with Express Oil & Gas, which is a benchmark company in the North East for its use of ‘state of the art’ machining technology.
The Integrex i-series is our flagship multi-tasking machine, and the new manufacturing cell is a classic example of Mazak’s Done-In-One machining philosophy, which aims to streamline production processes by reducing the number of machines and set-ups required to make a component.”