Fastener production
The additional equipment will increase Powell Gee’s output of self-drilling fasteners, including products for composite panels, according to Roofing Today. The investment adds to a manufacturing operation that also includes injection-moulding and powder-coating for specialist roofing and cladding fixings.
The automated machine fits washers to screws in four diameters: 4.8mm, 5.5mm, 6.3mm and 7.0mm. It accepts screw lengths between 50mm and 300mm.
Its reported processing rate is approximately 100 to 400 fixings a minute. At the upper end of that range, the new machine can produce 24,000 washered fixings an hour. That figure applies to the additional machine, rather than the factory’s combined output.
Production scheduling and customer requirements
Powell Gee says the extra capacity has reduced the number of machine changeovers needed during production. The company reports that it can now run longer batches and has more flexibility in scheduling work.
Sales director Paul Strong linked the investment to customers’ requirements for large quantities of specialist fixings. He said construction programmes were accelerating and project deadlines were becoming tighter. In that context, he argued that supplying volume without extending lead times gave customers a competitive advantage.
The company also said it planned to continue investing in manufacturing capability and innovation. It did not identify a further equipment purchase, an investment value or a timetable for that work in the report.