As part of an ongoing review of ots global engineering resources, Norman Hay plc is to combine and consolidate the design, fabrication and installation operations of leading British metal finishing and process plant specialist, Plasticraft Ltd, at the group's comprehensive design and engineering facility in Godiva Place, Coventry.

The established site, just off Coventry's inner ring road, already houses Plasticraft's sister companies, Ardrox Engineering, Ultraseal International, the Surface Technology 'Surfacetech' coatings division and the recently acquired MX Systems International Ltd.

These business units all have a common CAD and engineering requirement, based on fluid technology and the need to process complex components, and largely share the same global customer base – particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors.

The Coventry facility will provide a specialist design, manufacturing and administration centre for all the companies, enabling them to maximise engineering and financial resources and compete more effectively and efficiently in the world capital equipment market.

Most of the existing marketing, design, manufacturing and installation activities of Plasticraft Ltd, currently based in Cannock, will relocate to Coventry over the next few months; although the plastics fabrication operation will remain in Cannock for the time being.

Plasticraft’s managing director, Peter Gummer, will co-ordinate the manufacturing and engineering move to combine with and strengthen the new specialist engineering facility. He will then lead the product marketing team of Plasticraft, which incorporates PMD Engineering and ERG as an autonomous company.

Commented Victor Bellanti, chief executive of Norman Hay plc: “We are excited by the future potential of this new specialist engineering division, which will enable us to offer customers a wider range of equipment and services from a single site and bring more stability to what is traditionally a cyclical market for capital equipment.”

Said Plasticraft’s Peter Gumner - “Pooling our design and manufacturing expertise will bring major benefits to Plasticraft’s customers, as well as those of its sister companies. Our aim is to create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in engineering and fabrication to provide customers with single, dependable source of supply, backed up by the substantial technical and financial resources the Norman Hay plc offers.

The word ‘consolidation’ is often seen as having negative connotations in the world of business; in this case, the very opposite is true. By consolidating and readjusting its investment in its considerable engineering expertise, Norman Hay plc is making a major commitment to its group companies, by ensuring that it addresses both the present and the potential future direction of the global market for process plant and equipment. It’s heartening to know that there are still home-based companies willing to invest in British quality manufacturing.”

David Miller, chief operating officer of Norman Hay plc, is also keen to stress the benefits of the planned ‘Centre of Excellence’: “ The technical expertise available across the board will enable us to select the best problem-solving team for each specific project, and facilitate the cross-fertilisation of ideas and designs.”

Two installations - a Plasticraft plating line (left) and Ultraseal castings impregantion line - that illustrate the similarity of the advanced process plant designed and manufactured by these two Norman Hay companies. Now, their design and engineering expertise will be brought together at the new 'Centre of Excellence' in Coventry. There are many areas of common interest in which these and other Norman Hay companies plan to work together on in the future including the development of component and materials handlng systems, inter-process transportation, process control, non-destructive testing and water and effluent treatment. The technical expertise available across the board will enable customers to benefit from the best problem-solving team for each specific project and facillitate the cross-fertilisation of ideas and designs - particularly in the global aerospace and automotive sectors.

Ultraseal has particular knowledge of the component handling requirements of the automotive industry – this could be useful in designing specialised handling mechanisms for Plasticraft metal finishing applications in aerospace where, increasingly, customers are seeking a ‘one-stop-shop’ for many major projects, preferring a single supplier capable of providing total handling systems as well as plating plant itself.

Developing and demonstrating the benefits of this close synergy between the companies to its existing and potential customers, will be a major feature of Norman Hay’s approach to expanding its presence on the world stage over the next few years.

Norman Hay plc companies and activities PLASTICRAFT - metal finishing and process plant technology and effluent treatment, including PMD Engineering and ERG. ULTRASEAL INTERNATIONAL - castings impregantion systems and non-destructive testing: Ultraseal Materials: Ultraseal Engineering: Ultraseal America: Ultraseal Asia: Ultraseal India: Ardrox Engineering: MX Systems International. SURFACE TECHNOLOGY - surface coating process centres in East Kilbride, Irvine, Leeds, Bradford, Coventry and Slough. LANCY TECHNOLOGY - water treatment technology.