Construction is now underway on a new foundry at Andover-based diecasting supplier MRT Castings.
With 60% more space than its current diecasting area, this purpose-built, 20,000 sq ft additional facility is only 100 yards from MRT’s existing site and represents an ambitious new chapter for the company.
The company says that after several years of sustained growth, it realised it had outgrown its current foundry and needed to invest in a new site in order to ensure that it was able to continue to provide our customers with the level of service they expected.
In addition to significantly improved diecasting facilities it also wanted to ensure that it was providing its team with an outstanding workplace that would enhance their day-to-day environment, support an increase in productivity as well as accommodate all of the current diecasting equipment with space for additional capacity over the years to come.
In addition to relocating all of the existing foundry machinery to the new building, MRT will also be investing in new equipment and capabilities that will further contribute to providing a platform for the next phase of the company’s development.
One of the first machines that will be installed in the new site is a 250t fully automated diecasting cell from Italian manufacturer Colosio. MRT says this brand-new piece of equipment epitomises its focus on transforming its processes, quality, precision and productivity. The Colosio PFO250 die casting cell will be the first installation in the new foundry in September of this year.
Whilst the new site will focus on evolving the foundry side of the business, all CNC machining, finishing and assembly functions will remain on their current sites. With the space on the original site vacated by the old foundry, MRT will then have the opportunity to evolve and redevelop the machining facilities over the next few years to ensure that this element of the business continues to deliver outstanding innovation and performance.
Managing Director, Phil Rawnson, explains: “The new foundry underlines our commitment to providing our customers with the most flexible, productive, and technologically advanced diecasting facilities in the UK, and providing an exciting, world-class workplace for our valued team.”