By investing in a Wele bridge-type vertical machining centre, Halesowen-based Glassworks Hounsell (GWH) (
www.glassworkshounsell.co.uk) plans take advantage of the machine’s five-face processing to expand its in-house machining capability, create more jobs and move its sub-contract production services into new sectors. Sourced through 2D CNC Machinery Ltd, Hinckley (
www.2DCNC.co.uk), the Wele SB316M has a work envelope of 3,060 x 1,600 x 800mm, a gear-driven 26kW 6,000rev/min BT50 spindle and a 32-position tool magazine.
Founded in 1877, GWH employs 26 people (11 on the shopfloor) at its 25,000ft2 facility, and further recruitment is currently underway.
Half its sales are generated from the production of ‘industrial feeders’ for the glass industry, while a wide variety of precision engineered products is supplied to sectors that range from packaging and labelling to confectionary and automotive.
Operations manager Jeff Blackborow said: “We machine a multitude of large and prototype components, and we provide a diverse sub-contract machining service. We also have opportunities to expand our sub-contract operations into offshore and power generation, as well as the defence, nuclear and aerospace industries.
“We considered a number of similar machines, focusing on build quality and value for money, but the Wele was hard to beat with its specification and five-sided capability.”