At KMF a combination of a wealth of experience and ongoing investment into the latest machinery and technologies mean we can handle even the most challenging of projects whilst remaining efficient during production.
We have a highly skilled team who work together enabling us to process and manufacture parts in the most cost-effective way possible. This gives us the flexibility needed to support our customers with their urgent demands.
We have two Programming Engineers who have over 40 years' experience. They have both worked with a variety of machinery and materials throughout their engineering careers. They have the skills to manufacture components from the common materials such as Aluminium and Stainless Steels to the more exotic materials such as Inconel. These materials are used to manufacture small turned or milled parts or large complex parts which require full 5 axis simultaneous movement. This valuable technical knowledge enables them to create a method of manufacture to meet our customers' demands.
Our team have an excellent knowledge of the requirements of diverse sectors such as Aerospace, Medical, Scientific, Automotive, Construction and Oil andGas. This experience combined with the latest Mazak machining technologies and the latest offline Edgecam programming software, allows us to be incredibly flexible when we are challenged by the intricate designs from our customers.
We have a customer focussed approach and aim to find the best manufacturing process to ensure that we offer the best possible value and service to our customers. Our robust NPI process ensures that we fully understand their requirements and with dedicated tooling and fixtures we ensure that quality is built into the components we produce.
The team at KMF Precision Engineering work very closely together to make the production, quality and efficiencies happen. This ensures we are reactive with quick turnaround times, so our customers have the most positive experience possible.
Meet some of the team that make it work so effortlessly.
Rob Carter, Operations Manager
Rob joined in 2016 as the Quality Manager and put many processes in place which have increased effectiveness by 155%. He joined from JCB where he was the Quality Lead for Manufacturing and oversaw a team of 10. So, he was well equipped with the knowledge and experience to join our high performing team. The work Rob's done over the past four years has resulted in time savings, improved efficiency, and increased uptime on our key machines.
He said: "I've implemented offline programming within the team. Rather than programming parts on the machines and developing prototypes that way, 90% of the programming can be done in an office using Edgecam which has greatly improved machine uptime rates."
Rob then took efficiency improvements one step further. He increased control of programming and introduced a company called Manufacturing Control Solutions to create a link between the server and the machines. This saved time manually installing programmes onto the machine and gives full traceability throughout the workplace.
Terry Kimberlin, Business Development Manager
Terry has 33 years' experience with us. He's been with KMF for over three decades and until July last year, was a permanent fixture in the Sheet Metal Division. His expertise in Precision Engineering helped to grow the business and he believes he's starting to see his efforts being rewarded.
He said: "One of the great things about KMF and the Precision Engineering team is the significant amount of experience amongst us. Because we are a smaller group, it's very interactive across all levels and we all have a full view of all the customer projects we are involved in. The quality, service and reaction time are excellent due to this.
"The customer gets a positive experience when they work with us which is testament to the knowledge, experience and engagement from the whole team."
James Cooper, Sales Engineer
In his six years with us, James has progressed to his current position where he is now responsible for reviewing all of our sales enquiries, carrying out a full NPI review and ensuring each part is planned to its specific needs.
Operating closely with our two Programming Engineers, James can deliver against the most challenging and intricate designs.
He said: "Due to the combined experience of the team, and the investment in a variety of machining centres, even the most complex components can be manufactured, my role is to ensure that we can meet the customers requirements. We have a customer focussed approach and our aim is to take cost out of the production process to ensure that we offer the best possible service to our customers.
Alex Jones, Apprentice
Apprentice Alex has been learning on the job with KMF Precision Engineering since he left college in 2017. He's due to complete his Advanced Apprenticeship in December 2021 and will be staying with us to continue his development as a programmer.
He said: "I've really enjoyed my Apprenticeship with the PE division. Everyone works together and helps one another out which as an apprentice is a huge advantage. As we are a smaller, tight knit-team, we all know what's happening with our customers and our jobs so if there's ever an issue, we can resolve it within a matter of hours."
Rafay Ali, Degree Apprentice
Rafay Ali is one of our amazing graduate apprentices. He was the first apprentice in the Precision Engineering Division to finish his four-year Apprenticeship. He is also now undertaking a degree apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering at Staffordshire University.
He's looking forward to applying the skills and knowledge he picks up at University and said: "I am now operating state of the art Mazak machinery and trying to get the best out of them, fully utilising the capabilities they have. I take particular interest in the Aerospace sector and want to improve my skills and knowledge working on some of the complex components that our customers require."