West Midlands-based MSC Industrial Supply Co. (MSC), a leading national supplier of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products and services, has won a three-year contract with Switzerland-based Sulzer, a global leader in fluid engineering, which covers the company’s 25 UK facilities.

The deal, awarded following a competitive tender involving five suppliers, will see MSC appointed as Sulzer’s preferred supplier for metal-working and MRO categories including tooling, PPE and general consumables, alongside the provision of engineering support.

Primarily, MSC will devise and implement vending solutions at five of Sulzer’s largest UK manufacturing sites, in Birmingham, Leeds, Hungerford and two facilities in Aberdeen. It will then roll-out bespoke solutions at Sulzer’s other UK sites.

In light of restrictions due to Covid-19, MSC has been handling the implementation virtually, with its engineering team identifying ways to reduce and rationalise Sulzer’s tooling requirements prior to the vending solutions being installed.

A major focus of the contract will see MSC support Sulzer in the relocation of its Birmingham operation to a nearby ‘state of the art’ 96,000ft² purpose-built facility.

Wioleta Stelmasińska, global category specialist at Sulzer, said: “As a forward-thinking and technologically innovative business, Sulzer is pleased to partner with an equally advanced and ambitious company like MSC.

“In addition to MSC’s impressive reputation for delivering excellent customer service, the team understands our business goals and has the scope of product, engineering expertise, and bespoke vending solutions we require to help us prepare for the future, while driving continuous improvement across our business.”

Mel Hallas, general manager at Sulzer Birmingham, said: “We are impressed with the commitment and competence of MSC’s engineering team who have already been supporting us on-site and virtually, while ensuring safe working practices are adhered to. This initial support has far exceeded our expectations and corroborated our decision of appointing MSC.”

“We have already started cooperating with MSC’s engineering team and we look forward to reaping the benefits of the partnership, which will help drive efficiencies” said Steve Nash, production engineering manager at Sulzer Leeds.

Mathew Kavanagh, MSC head of engineering, said: “Changing suppliers in the current climate is a huge decision for Sulzer and the fact they have put their trust in MSC is something we are very proud of.

“More than ever, cost-saving initiatives and engineering expertise are critical to helping manufacturing businesses achieve competitive advantage.

“We look forward to working together and delivering a smooth and seamless implementation which will provide Sulzer with a robust platform to cater for the future demands of manufacturing and help it deliver even further operational excellence.”

As a global leader in fluid engineering, Sulzer specialises in pumping, agitation, mixing, separation, and application technologies for fluids of all types. It operates in a raft of sectors from energy to water and waste-water and food and drink.