“OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THEY ARE WANTING MORE OF A COMPLETE PRODUCT DELIVERED, BECAUSE THERE’S A BIG SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOR IN THE UK AND MOST OF OUR CUSTOMERS HAVEN’T GOT THE MANPOWER TO DO ALL THAT WORK THEMSELVES.” – Roger Miles, Project Engineer
At the heart of Dyfed Steels, a renowned UK-based steel company, lies an unwavering commitment to excellence and adaptation. Roger Miles, their project engineer with degrees in mechanical engineering and applied profiling and laser technology, credits the company’s progress to more than just their talented team – but also to the instrumental role of the Voortman V310 machines from Voortman Steel Group.
Approaching its 50th anniversary, Dyfed Steels operates an extensive network with ten branches spread across various parts of the UK. As a leading stockholder and supplier in the south/southwest of England and Wales, Dyfed Steels’ Voortman V310 machines have undoubtedly given them a competitive edge.
Their services extend from steel stockholding to supplying fabricators, welding companies, and engineering firms. The incorporation of the Voortman V310 machines has proven critical in expanding their portfolio to include plate work, profiling, and other services integral to structural steel.
Roger explains the challenges facing the company: “The world has changed and our customers have changed over the last five years. They are wanting more of a complete product delivered, in other words, things where we’d be just five, ten years old, we’d be cutting stock lines and delivery. Now it’s shotblasting, priming, it’s drilling, punching, profiling, tapping, it’s countersinking. All this has come into the equation and that’s meant more processing work for us. And the customers like that because there’s a big shortage of skilled labor in the UK and most of our customers haven’t got the manpower to do all that work themselves.”
Operating with a strong workforce of around 350 employees, the majority of the manufacturing occurs at the Bynea plant, where the Voortman V310 machines are located. These machines play a pivotal role in adapting to the changing needs of Dyfed Steels customers, who now expect more comprehensive services.
The decision to procure the Voortman V310 machine was informed by several factors that aligned with the company’s objectives. Key considerations were the machine’s availability, efficiency, and capacity. The machine’s dual gantries further enhance its efficiency, enabling simultaneous offloading and preparation for upcoming tasks, thereby streamlining the workflow. Consequently, the V310 has lived up to its expectations, cementing its effectiveness within the company’s operations. Because processes are not standardized, and each client’s needs are approached individually. They assess and adjust the usage of the machine to fit each specific task, embodying the multi-faceted service they offer.
The company has leveraged the power of their Voortman V310 machines in delivering notable projects. Noteworthy examples include their contributions to the 2012 London Olympics and the supply of steel for the esteemed Marble Arch monument and Farrington railway line station in London. Currently, Dyfed Steels is also a vital supplier to Hinkley Point, the largest nuclear plant in Europe, which is a testament to the robustness and reliability of their machinery.
VOORTMAN V310 PROVES ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY AND TIME SAVING
In choosing the Voortman V310, Dyfed Steels found a machine that suited their evolving needs perfectly, offering continuous operation and the ability to enhance productivity. The machine’s scale is sufficient to cover all their applications, proving more efficient than any previous system. This efficiency was clearly demonstrated during a significant project for Tata Steel, where the Voortman V310 machines saved approximately 250 man-hours.
Looking towards the future, Dyfed Steels is considering further supplementing their machinery to keep up with growing demand and to stay at the cutting edge of the industry. The Voortman V310 machines have set a high benchmark in terms of productivity and efficiency, making them a model for any future enhancements.
