Welshpool-based Dawson Shanahan (Wales) Ltd, a leading specialist in precision engineering and cold forming, is continuing to expand its UK production facilities with the installation of two new Citizen machines.

The company (www.dawson-shanahan.co.uk) has invested in an L20-VIII and an L32-VIII — both high-precision CNC lathes capable of meeting high-volume production demands.

The Citizen L32-VIII sliding-headstock CNC automatic lathe is a seven-axis model and was a logical choice for Dawson Shanahan. With its modular design, up to 30 tools can be mounted at any one time.

Supported by a range of control features, the machine offers high work rates, improving both productivity and profitability.

Similarly, the L20-VIII offers flexibility with a 37-tool capability; it can be used as a regular guide-bush-type lathe when machining long, thin workpieces or quickly changed to a non-guide-bush type, reducing material wastage.

These new machines are part of an on-going programme of investment and expansion that underpins Dawson Shanahan’s long-term goal to grow organically by at least 15% a year.

Key to this growth is the company’s export business to Europe, North America and the Far East, which currently accounts for around 80% of its orders.