Somerset-based Automatic Industrial Machines Ltd (AIM), an aviation sub-contract engineering specialist, has doubled its productivity after investing in automation with a six-figure finance package from Lloyds Bank.

The funding has enabled the company to purchase an Erowa robotic cell and automate the loading of metal billets to machines that can now run unmanned through the night.

Established in 1973, AIM (www.aim-ltd.net) makes parts for the aviation, automotive and rail industries; its customers include Airbus, GE Aviation and GKN.

Managing director Rob Kendall said: “We’ve been taking steps to modernise our business over the past few years, to ensure that we can remain competitive and win new client contracts.

“Increasing automation is a key part of this process, and as this investment means that our machines can operate for an extra 14hr a day, it will have a huge impact on our productivity and efficiency.

“We chose to work with Lloyds Bank because we knew that its team had a strong knowledge of our sector.

“They were also on-hand to act as a sounding board to new ideas, and they were able to provide the tailored support we needed to implement our growth plans.”