RMP Products has strengthened its steel processing capabilities after investing in new
Ficep UK Gemini and Kronos systems, enabling the West Midlands-based business to double its plate processing capacity, increase efficiency and support future growth.
Based in Aldridge, RMP Products has specialised in precision steel processing for more than 30 years, providing profile cutting, machining and value-added processing services to customers across a wide range of engineering and manufacturing sectors.
The investment builds on a long-standing relationship between RMP and Ficep UK. Having operated a Ficep Gemini for around 12 years, RMP was looking to further enhance its processing capabilities with a solution that would support increasing customer demand, accommodate larger plate sizes and provide greater flexibility across its operations.
Following discussions with Ficep UK in September 2025, the two businesses worked closely together to engineer a solution tailored to RMP's production requirements. The result was a Gemini machining system and Kronos thermal cutting and drilling system running on a single tandem rail, designed to increase throughput, maximise machine utilisation and provide additional capacity for future growth.
The tandem configuration enables two plates to be processed simultaneously, effectively doubling plate processing efficiency while allowing RMP to handle larger-format plates than before, thanks to the system's 15m x 3m processing bed. The Gemini and Kronos systems enable RMP to cut, drill, tap and etch plates up to 50mm thick within a single operation. By combining multiple processes into one workflow, the systems reduce handling, improve accuracy and consistency, shorten production times and help RMP deliver faster turnaround times while maintaining the quality its customers expect.
Mark Edwards, production director at RMP Products, says: “We've had our previous Ficep Gemini for around 12 years, and it served us extremely well. As our business continued to grow and our customers’ requirements increased, we wanted to invest in additional capacity and flexibility to support the next stage of our development.
“Our new Gemini and Kronos system combination has already changed the way we process steel plates. Running the machines in tandem means we can process two plates simultaneously, immediately doubling efficiency, while the larger bed allows us to support a wider range of requirements. Our operators have noticed the huge difference the systems have made on the shopfloor from day one.”
The investment also reflects a partnership that has developed over 15 years. Richard Clark, managing director of Ficep UK, first worked with RMP shortly after he joined Ficep as service manager in 2015 and has continued to support the company as its requirements have evolved.
Mr Clark says: “RMP has been an important customer for many years, and we've built a strong relationship based on understanding the business, its processes and its ambitions. When Mark approached us looking to replace the existing Gemini, it was clear he wasn't looking for a like-for-like replacement. He wanted to increase capacity, process larger plates and create additional flexibility for future growth.
“By configuring the Gemini machining system and Kronos thermal cutting and drilling system on a tandem rail, we've delivered a solution that allows RMP to process two plates simultaneously while carrying out multiple operations within a single workflow. It's exactly the kind of project where understanding a customer's production challenges allows us to provide the right solution. This wasn't a standard installation, but our teams worked closely together throughout the project, and it's been extremely rewarding to see the system performing exactly as intended within seven weeks.”
Mr Edwards added: “We've always had a great relationship with Ficep. It's very much a two-way partnership where we've learned from each other over the years. Ficep has continued to invest in innovation and customer service, and that relationship gave us complete confidence when making this investment. The additional capacity the new system gives us puts us in an excellent position to continue growing and supporting our customers.”
Pic: (l-r) Paul Dyche, RMP Products director, Richard Clark Ficep UK MD with Mark Edwards, director at RMP