L.B. Foster Creates UK Automation 'Centre of Excellence'

L.B. Foster Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) announces the consolidation of its East Midlands-based industrial automation and materials handling businesses into a single, design, manufacturing and production Centre of Excellence' in Nottingham.

L.B. Foster Materials Handling in Leicester specialises in engineering solutions to move products from A to B in storage, distribution and manufacturing facilities. Its operations are relocating to recently acquired application engineering solutions business TEW Industrial Automation in Nottingham, creating L.B. Foster Automation.

L.B. Foster Automation's new 'Centre of Excellence' consolidates the two businesses' operations into a single manufacturing and production capability in Nottingham, at the heart of the East Midlands manufacturing region.

Dr Martyn Paradise is the new managing director of L.B. Foster Automation. Formerly head of TEW Industrial Automation, Dr Paradise says: "Both TEW Industrial Automation and L.B. Foster Materials Handling have proven track records within their respective markets, delivering solid performance and strong reputations for innovation and quality.

"With L.B. Foster Automation we are strengthening further our position in these markets. We are drawing on shared resources, expertise and market intelligence and focusing facilities to deliver sector leading engineering solutions and a new East Midlands-based manufacturing powerhouse.

"Our Nottingham 'Centre of Excellence' benefits from new, technology-led investment that will deliver increased capacity and exceptional manufacturing quality across our entire product portfolio - from overhead and floor conveyors to warehouse garment and handling solutions, as well as innovative machinery and automated production systems for the automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and logistics markets. We also see it as an 'industry destination' for discussions, training, seminars and events showcasing the best our sector has to offer.

"Our Leicester operation will continue to operate at a low level until October 2016, at which point all manufacturing will move across to Nottingham.

"Joint turnover of our industrial automation and materials handling businesses in 2014/15 was in the region of £8.5m. We are targeting manageable growth in 2015/16 as we seek to drive sales in the region of £10m by actively engaging our existing customers and providing greater value, whilst exploring new market opportunities."

Industrial Automation's solutions range from conveyors through to specialised production machinery, order picking and assembly systems complete with controls, as well as manufacturing equipment such as pallet stackers and destackers, palletisers and pallet debanders. L.B. Foster Materials Handling specialises in engineering solutions that provide the most efficient and effective method of moving products from A to B in storage, distribution and manufacturing facilities.

L.B. Foster Automation will employ 50 staff at its new 'Centre of Excellence' in Nottingham, including 16 posts that will move across from Leicester.

More Info: http://www.lBíoster-automation.co.uk/