German cutting tool manufacturer Guhring Ltd has now installed a new Guhring tool and cutter grinder at its UK manufacturing facility in Birmingham. The 9-axis CNC grinding centre has been installed for the production of ‘special’ cutting tools, enhancing the company’s service levels for its UK customer base.
Adding to the 11 existing Guhring solid carbide cutting tool grinding centres and the multitude of Vollmer PCD tool processing machines on-site, the new addition will add capacity for the West Midlands company that has enjoyed aggressive growth since moving to its new factory in Central Birmingham in Summer 2017.
Guhring is in a unique position as it is the only cutting tool manufacturer that also manufactures grinding centres for the processing of its solid carbide cutting tools. Commenting upon this and the addition of the new machine, Guhring UK Managing Director, Mr Chris Weston says: “Guhring developed its own ultra-precise grinding centres with heavy-duty bases and automation solutions and these machines are installed at Guhring production facilities worldwide to ensure unparalleled levels of control over our products and processes. It does give us end-to-end process control like no other cutting tool manufacturer.”
We ordered another machine pre-pandemic and whilst production levels throughout the industry have dipped during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are confident that Guhring will continue to build upon its significant year-on-year market share growth before the lockdown. Whilst we cannot presently claim to be at pre-Covid capacity levels, our £5m+ UK standard product stock levels and our capacity to design, manufacture, coat, deliver and re-grind special tools during the pandemic has put us in a great position. During the ‘Ventilator Challenge’ this level of UK service won us an entirely new customer base, as we could provide a complete service, unlike other cutting tool manufacturers. Add to this our new 3D-additive printing of tool bodies and holders, and our customer base continually expands. So, whilst business is not currently 100%, our ability to innovate, respond and react to industry requirements during a crisis has won us, new customers, in new and existing market segments. This is extremely positive for Guhring UK and we will certainly need the capacity of the new machine as we look beyond 2020.
