MSC to open new technology centre in Wednesbury

MSC Industrial Supply, a distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations supplies to industrial customers in the UK, plans to open a new technology centre to support manufacturers and drive engineering excellence.

The technology centre, located within MSC’s Wednesbury facility, is designed to enable manufacturers to test new engineering methods for the production of parts without disrupting production, in keeping with MSC’s pledge to help customers reduce cost, improve productivity and increase profitability through engineering excellence.

The company says it expects to open the facility in late January.

“We understand that customer production time is precious and disrupting operations to demonstrate a proposed solution is not always feasible,” said managing director David Darby. “Through the new MSC UK Technology Centre, manufacturers will be able to carry out much of this activity offsite, enabling them to understand and realise the benefits sooner whilst avoiding costly downtime.”

With many manufacturers moving to digital solutions requiring significant investment, the technology centre will provide immediate insight into the benefits of new machining technologies in optimising existing processes without the need to make large-scale investments.

The facility will include two Colchester machines, a Typhoon L65M and a Storm 1050 VMC with a bolt-on Detron 4th/5th axis table. In addition, the Technology Centre will be home to a range of auxiliary equipment, including a Colchester laser marker, EVOSET tool pre setter, Bilz Heat Shrink Machine, Ultimaker 3D printer and MSC’s ControlPoint Inventory Management solution.

Visitors can also make use of Autodesk Fusion 360 cloud-based CAD/CAM software and Vericut Collision Avoidance software.

Mr Darby continued: “For many manufacturers, investing in new machinery and equipment isn’t always realistic in a highly competitive environment. However, this does not mean they cannot drive operational improvements and achieve growth. Our Technology Centre has been designed so that we can help our customers utilise best practices and make the most of their existing assets.

“In sharing our engineering capabilities and partnering with customers on projects, tests and trials at our Technology Centre, we’ll be able to help them identify cost-saving opportunities.”

The MSC UK Technology Centre will offer engineering insights free from OEM affiliation and brand bias and focus on the best solution for each customer’s needs.

In addition to helping manufacturers leverage technology and best practices to develop product improvements and machining strategies, the facility will serve as an educational and event space for customers, suppliers and the manufacturing industry.

MSC Industrial Supply UK
www.mscdirect.co.uk