West Midlands-based A&M EDM (www.amedm.co.uk). — a provider of precision engineering and EDM services — achieved record sales of £6.1 million in 2018 (a 32% increase on 2017) and recruited 10 new people, taking its workforce to 67.

The company, which has a factory in Smethwick, recently invited West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to commission new CNC machinery and equipment worth £750,000 (part-funded by a £50,000 grant from the Black Country LEP Growing Priority Sectors fund).

This included a new five-axis Hurco machine, two spark eroders, a Hitachi hand-held analyser (for alloy identification) and Renishaw laser calibration equipment.

The Mayor saw demonstrations of A&M’s CNC machining, quality inspection and EDM capabilities, as well as how the company manufactures prototypes, precision components and tooling for aerospace, automotive, Formula One and production assembly customers.

He met apprentices at work and discussed skills development, plus the role of advanced manufacturing and engineering in the wider economy.

Mr Street said: “A&M is a dynamic symbol of the West Midlands Economic Strategy in action, as an advanced manufacturing SME committed to sustained investment in new machinery, process innovation, developing apprentices and skills.

"The company demonstrates how SMEs can access Government support by working in partnership with LEPs and local authorities.”

The Mayor was presented with a memento of his visit, highlighting A&M’s expertise in CAD design, turning and CNC milling.

Electrodes were wired to cut the lettering, and an embossed West Midlands Combined Authority logo was created by spark-eroding the shape.

Mark Wingfield, managing director of A&M, said: “It was a privilege to host the Mayor and discuss the importance of supply-chain SMEs to competitive manufacturing in the West Midlands.

“We achieved record sales in 2018 and will continue investing in our capabilities, skills and apprentices.

"We value working in partnership with the public sector; the Growing Priority Sectors fund grant enabled us to accelerate our investment and create new engineering jobs.”