A&M EDM invests £400,000 to meet ambitious growth targets

Investment in new wire eroders is driving Smethwick-based precision engineers, A&M EDM towards sales of £5 million in 2018.

The company has spent £400,000 purchasing and installing two Sodick ALC 600G wire eroders in response to increased demand from aerospace, automotive and motorsports customers. The new machines were commissioned by Charlotte Horobin, regional director Midlands & East at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.

Ms Horobin said: “A&M is a shining example of an SME committed to continuous investment to create a competitive edge and the benefit of working in partnership with its LEP and local authority.”

A&M use spark and wire erosion and CNC machining capabilities to manufacture precision components and tooling for aerospace, automotive, Formula 1 and production assembly customers. A&M annually uses 25,000 miles of conductive brass wire in its 17 wire erosion machines, enough to circle the world.

A&M’s investment has created five new jobs, supported by a grant of £58,000 from the Black Country LEP Growing Priority Sectors fund administered by Sandwell Council. A&M employs 65 people and this investment reinforces the company as one of the UK’s largest electrical discharge machining specialists, using spark and wire erosion to cut steel and other metals with high precision.

Mark Wingfield, managing director of A&M commented: “We are delighted Charlotte agreed to commission the new wire eroders; our approach is to continue investing to expand our manufacturing capabilities for customers. The Growing Priority Sectors grant was important in bridging a funding gap and enabling us to grow and create new engineering jobs.”

The purchase of these machines builds on A&M’s expenditure of over £5 million in the past four years on a second factory, metrology inspection facilities, an R&D rotary engine project and high-speed machining centres.

A&M EDM www.amedm.co.uk