Desford-based MJ Products, which designs solutions for lifting, moving and handling, has invested in a new press brake with the help of a grant from the Leicestershire Collaborate project (www.llep.org.uk).

The company was formed by engineer Mark Jackson in 2009 to develop a bespoke lifting solution, initially for Dunelm Mill in Syston.

Its solutions primarily use patented foot-operated lifting technology, with lightweight manoeuvrable lifting equipment for handling loads of up to 250kg removing the need for manual handling.

The company currently has over 30 different products in its range and counts Euro Car Parts, Decathlon and Argos among its customers.

Mr Jackson decided to bring production in-house in 2017, and one of the key drivers in this was the development of VanMate, which can be quickly disassembled and stored in a vehicle to enable the remote delivery of goods without the need for a separate handling device (www.mjproducts.co.uk) .

The purchase of the press brake means that the company can now make VanMate in-house, eliminating the challenges involved in sourcing repeatable and accurate folded parts from local suppliers.

It will also reduce lead times and costs.

The grant has also helped towards the purchase of a van fitted out with VanMate technology, enabling the company to demonstrate the system at customer sites.

VanMate is already used by Euro Car Parts to deliver 205-litre oil drums, reconditioned engines and gearboxes to customers around the UK.