Unibloc Hygienic Technologies (UHT), a manufacturer of hygienic positive displacement pumps, air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps, drum pumps, and other flow control products, has expanded production capacity at its Bolney, UK facility with an investment in additional machining technology.
The investment reportedly continues UHT’s ongoing strategy of increasing production capacity to reduce production lead times and improve customer service.
UHT recently commissioned a new Matsuura H.Plus-405 PC12 horizontal computer numerical control (CNC) machining centre. The Matsuura is a 12-pallet, four-axis machining centre offering the capacity to replace three older machines with one, while increasing productivity.
UHT selected this technology for its remote monitoring capabilities and advanced automation. The machine can run 24/7, allowing the facility to increase its capacity by 50-60% while occupying the same plant footprint as the previous machines.
“Our Bolney workforce consists of highly skilled CNC machinists,” said Chris Stevens, CEO of UHT. “Adding this machine helps leverage their experience and knowledge while automating repetitive processes that are highly detailed and time-consuming.
“We selected the 12-pallet machine for its ability to stack work runs and then run autonomously. We will use the Matsuura to machine shorter-run custom parts during the daytime shift and then machine longer production runs during evenings and weekends.”
UHT also recently invested in two new lathes for the Bolney facility, with anticipated deliveries in January and June 2023. The new equipment increases machining accuracy, speed, and reliability, as UHT claimed.
“Our ongoing investments enable us to adhere to a strategy of constant improvement that overcomes supply chain challenges and provides quick deliveries. Our focus centres on customer responsiveness coupled with the assurance they will receive the highest quality hygienic flow control equipment,” said Stevens.
“Building our in-house machining capabilities helps us better serve our customers with great quality and industry-leading lead times.”
UHT’s Bolney facility is where the Flotronic ‘One-Nut’ Pump was pioneered, featuring a single-nut diaphragm design. This design reduces process downtime by simplifying pump assembly and disassembly and, providing savings in operating costs, along with best-in-class performance.
According to UHT, the Flotronic One-Nut pump serves more than 1,000 companies worldwide, including brands in food and beverage, consumer product goods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other critical process manufacturing operations.
