Within six weeks of acquiring A J Clarke (Automatic Machinists), Unicut Precision has ordered a new CNC sliding head lathe to replace five traditional cam automatics.
Within six weeks of acquiring A J Clarke (Automatic Machinists) of Bourne End in Buckinghamshire, UK, Unicut Precision has accessed the business potential and ordered a Citizen L20 VIII CNC sliding head auto from NC Engineering of Watford to replace five traditional cam automatics. In addition Unicut's Data Track production software and hardware is being installed with direct links to the Welwyn Garden City factory of Unicut. Says Jason Nicholson joint managing director: 'Both Charles Kenny and myself can really see the potential of the business by adopting methods and systems that are proven at Welwyn and we are installing these as a matter of urgency.

The skill base we have inherited is excellent and we have very good and loyal customers that are already committing to increases in business.' A J Clarke employs 14 people and already has a fairly new Citizen C16 sliding head auto and a Miyano BNJ compact turning centre providing single hit cycles.

But as Kenny adds: 'We can improve efficiency by bringing in another Citizen L20 to build up the single cycle production capability to shorten lead times and speed change-overs on the traditional cam machines when producing smaller batches of work.' Also as part of the on-going planning, some work is being transferred to Welwyn Garden City and other parts, more suited to the Bourne End factory, will be switched from Welwyn during early 2006.