Manufacturing Technology

Founded in 1987, the company originally operated from three small business units. After the acquisition by Lamons in March 2013, it was able to expand and move into its current facility in Wolverhampton, which acts as its European manufacturing hub, and where it has now started producing gaskets.

Joining the team shortly after the takeover – with a background in the aerospace industry – Peter Utting, general manager at Lamons UK, explains: “The acquisition enabled us to focus on growing and taking the next step in our development. We have established a strong management structure and have increased the skills and capabilities of our employees. We are now looking to further improve our service and products so that they not only meet but exceed customers’ expectations. To do this we must identify what our customers need and make sure we have the technology and machinery to deliver the solution.”

From simple hinge pins used on sub-sea connectors through to high precision components used in turbines for the power generation sector, Lamons’ special fasteners are used in a variety of quality critical, heat resistant, pressure resistant or corrosion resistant applications, and are produced using materials sourced from accredited European and American steel mills.

The company recently had a very specific requirement for a new thread rolling machine, which needed to be capable of rolling 3 inch Inconel bar. “Due to the detailed demands we only wanted to work with high calibre companies,” says Peter. “We needed a company that had the experience and technical knowledge to provide a highly professional service – even after the machine had been commissioned. That is why we decided to work with Thread Rolling Technology.”

Thread Rolling Technology Ltd is a UK-based family business that offers a range of services including: New and used thread rolling machine sales, in-house rebuilding, technical support, service and repair, as well as customer training. It is also a stockist for all thread rolling machine parts, consumables – rolls, roller supports and workrest blades, as well as general machine tools.

“Due to the nature of its requirements, it was clear Lamons needed a machine with specific requirements,” says Brian McEnery, managing director at Thread Rolling Technology. “After consulting with Lamons and whilst working closely with its operators for total employee engagement – taking on board the operator’s preferences such as the bar handling, as well as different types of work holding equipment for the machine – we decided that a TRT 100 thread rolling machine was the perfect solution. Lamons will also be able to utilise the machine’s capabilities to try and grow the range of products produced on the machine.”

The ‘TRT 100’ weighs 14,000kg and has a minimum component length of 10mm and a maximum of 180mm. The maximum roll diameter, as well as the maximum width of roll, is 300mm and the machine also contains a 45kW spindle motor and an 18.5kW hydraulic motor. The 100 tonne machine adheres to Lamons’ special requirements.

With the support of staff at GM 2012 Ltd, a thread roll manufacturer purchased by Thread Rolling Technology two years ago, the company was also able to provide the tooling for the machine – enabling Thread Rolling to supply the complete package. “GM 2012 has over 45 years of experience in manufacturing thread rolls, which helped us to guarantee the final package met all the customer’s requirements,” adds Brian.

Once the machine had been commissioned, Thread Rolling Technology visited Lamons’ site to train its employees. “The cornerstone of our business is customer satisfaction,” comments Brian. “Our standard practice is for operators to undertake training sessions on-site so they have an insight and understanding of how the machine works. The set-up time and training can vary depending on the type of machine being installed. At Lamons the installation and training process was completed within four weeks.”

As part of its standard service plan, Thread Rolling Technology also inspects a machine every 12 months, and is a stockist for all thread tooling machine parts. “We’re proud to offer an extra service to our customers, and we can guarantee high customer satisfaction by offering a shorter lead time on replacement tooling. As a company we operate in a climate of trust, honesty and openness and we strive to create a community of knowledge and understanding,” says Brian.

Peter adds: “You can have the best machine in the world, but if the service and relationship isn’t there from the supplier – you won’t make a return on your investment. Thread Rolling Technology is a specialist in the UK, especially when you are looking for an experienced company that can supply machines with unique capabilities. It was Brian’s responsiveness and willingness to go the extra mile that cemented the relationship.”

From visiting Lamons UK and seeing first-hand how the company operates, it is clear that the company is committed to delivering only the highest quality products. Due to the high calibre of Lamons’ requirements, it only works with reliable and experienced suppliers that are able to provide the specialised machinery and technology it requires. Thread Rolling Technology not only demonstrated its vast capabilities in meeting Lamons’ specific needs, but also worked closely with Lamons to create a truly bespoke service.

Peter concludes: “It is vital that there is trust and responsiveness in our business relationships and any machinery we use has to be high-quality and reliable. We are very satisfied with the business relationship with Thread Rolling Technology. The installation process was very straightforward and we’ve received a reliable and efficient service. We also know that we have the technical support and expertise available to us moving forward.”