The Internet of Things (IoT) and the emergence of digital skills has helped a North Yorkshire automation manufacturer boost turnover by 21% in the last year.
Lambert, a leading provider of automation systems, equipment engineering and precision components, has seen annual sales rise to a record £22.6m, with 80% of equipment built now exported to key strategic customers in Europe, North America, South America and the rest of the world.
“2016 was all about investment in our people and new technologies that will continue to give us a competitive advantage over our rivals. The good news is it appears to be a formula that is working, with more than £4m of new sales already delivered in the first quarter of 2017,” said Mike Lewis, associate sales director at Lambert.
“However, you can't stand still in what we do and similar levels of investment have been directed into ensuring we are at the forefront of cloud-based automation and cyber physical connectivity.”
Lambert has enjoyed particular growth in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Medical markets, where the company's new cloud based 'Omni Feeder' technology has been fundamental in securing new contracts.
As an innovative developers of factory automation, the company was recently chosen by the EEF to host its latest Manufacturing Connect event on exploring the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The company is expecting turnover to grow again in 2017 and, whilst a large number of contracts are for customers overseas, it will work with one UK manufacturing plant that is investing approximately £6.6m in automation which will be 4IR ready and capable.
This project is in production set-up phase and will start to be delivered later this year and into 2018.