THE new £2 million specialist welding machine at a Brighouse manufacturing firm is now fully operational after a three-month long commissioning programme.

Running more than 40 per cent faster than any of Siddall and Hilton Products’ existing machines and producing up to 70 per cent less process scrap, it will increase capacity and efficiency at the business which manufactures welded steel mesh for high-security fencing, general fencing and industrial mesh panels.

In March this year, the new LGR102 welding machine travelled from Austria, having been manufactured by EVG in Graz, to its new home in West Yorkshire where it joined the welded steel mesh manufacturer’s existing fleet of four EVG machines.

Utilising the latest medium frequency welding technology, the new machine will focus on the production of industrial mesh, freeing up capacity on the other machines and enabling the business to increase through-put as it continues to grow.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: From left, Ian Thurley, chief executive of Siddall & Hilton Products, and Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11From left, Ian Thurley, chief executive of Siddall & Hilton Products, and Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11

This year, it has added a further nine trainee mesh operators, including two apprentices to its now 59-strong team, and the 126-year-old company is seeking another three recruits.

The latest EVG machine marks Siddall and Hilton Products’ most significant investment for 12 years and was funded by the business’s primary lenders, ABN AMRO, supported by £100,000 of grant funding from Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP).

It was officially ‘launched’ earlier this month when guests including the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin; Sir Roger Marsh, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11; and Andy Pascoe, relationship director at ABN AMRO Lease, joined chief executive Ian Thurley and the team on site in Foundry Street to see the new machine in action.

Mr Thurley said: “The business is going from strength to strength and we’re proud of this, our biggest single achievement just two Covid-interrupted years since the MBO.

“This latest investment marks a major milestone in our world class journey as we continue to invest not only in the best machinery on the market, but also in building our workforce and developing our people to ensure we have the best skilled team for the future.”