Category: Press releases

This expansion highlights Sertec’s commitment to advancing EV technology and supporting the growing demand for sustainable transportation solutions.This new facility is designed to meet the stringent requirements of modern EV manufacturing, including high-performance insulation, high precision, and cleanliness. These factors are crucial for ensuring the safety, thermal efficiency, accuracy and longevity of EV batteries, which are central to the electric mobility revolution.

As the EV market continues to expand, the importance of effective insulation in battery systems has become increasingly evident. High-performance insulation materials are essential for electrical insulation, thermal management, energy loss reduction whilst contributing to the overall enhancement of vehicle efficiency. This trend is driving innovation in materials and manufacturing processes, with companies like Sertec leading the way in developing advanced sustainable engineering solutions.

The precision required in EV battery manufacturing cannot be overstated. Due to the compact design, close tolerances are required to ensure the design objectives are met. Sertec’s investment in these state-of-the-art production technologies at Wincaster House reflects the industry’s move towards higher precision EV components.

Sertec’s approach to EV component manufacturing is characterised by the integration of multiple advanced technologies. The new battery cell cover facility at Wincaster House combines precision stamping and surface preparation technologies with high quality insulation coating application at very high production rates. This holistic approach not only enhances the product demands but also positions Sertec as a leader in the rapidly evolving EV market.

Richard Sadler, Engineering Director commented, “Our investment in the new battery cell cover facility at Wincaster House is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in EV technology. We are proud to be at the forefront of this exciting industry and look forward to continuing to support the transition to sustainable transportation.”

With this latest expansion, Sertec is well-positioned to meet the growing demands of the EV market and contribute to the development of cleaner, more efficient vehicles for the future.

The investment includes the introduction of a new 800T machine press at its Coleshill site, aimed at enhancing production capabilities and generating employment opportunities.

The unveiling of the new 800T Nidec Arisa Press took place during a special ceremony at Sertec’s Gorsey Lane production facility, officiated by Professor Carl Chinn, MBE. In order to commemorate the occasion, the first pressed part from the machine was presented to the esteemed Birmingham social historian and writer.

The fully operational 800T Nidec Arisa Press will play a crucial role in expanding Sertec’s parts production capacities across various sectors, particularly the automotive industry. Its implementation will facilitate the creation of 15 new positions following the complete integration of the 800T Nidec Arisa Press into the manufacturing facility.

Distinguished by its advanced functionalities, the 800T Arisa Press surpasses conventional presses by offering the ability to manufacture pressed parts through progression, transfer, or a combination of both methods. This versatility results in a more efficient and streamlined manufacturing process, enhancing the precision and speed of metal stamping operations.

The installation of the 800T Nidec Arisa Press commenced in the summer of 2023, involving the delivery of the 800T press and its components by 14 vehicles to the Sertec site. Subsequently, a team of 160 contractors dedicated over 16,000 hours to prepare and install the machine press, culminating in its full operational readiness by December 2024.

Grant Adams, Sertec Group CEO, said: “The installation of the 800T Nidec Arisa Press marks the completion of an 18-month project. The new press is a game changer, and we now have the capability to significantly boost our parts production process across all sectors.

“With our supplier Nidec Arisa, we have put a huge amount of engineering work into being able to incorporate many automated functions and pre-sets that run concurrently whilst changing coils or tools. This has resulted in changeover times that are now exceeding expectations and offering more flexibility for manufacturing parts from this press.

“The 800T Nidec Arisa Press installation forms part of a wider investment into our manufacturing process, which began earlier in the year. This is now producing the returns we had planned for with more jobs created, increased production capabilities and better efficiency in our business operations.

“Our focus is to now build upon this success, driving stability and sustainable growth to create a solid future for the business and all its stakeholders”.

Professor Carl Chinn said: “I can’t believe the size of the new press, it looks amazing. The basics of what it does, taking something and adding value to it, is at the heart of all that is good about the manufacturing industry.

“The West Midlands is an important place for manufacturing, and Sertec Group’s achievement with this project and everything else they are doing is helping to carry forward that proud tradition in the region.

“Thanks again to Sertec Group for what they doing for manufacturing and our country by actually making things.”

In recent years, Sertec Group has strategically focused on diversifying its product offerings and expanding into new customer markets. This strategic shift has allowed the company to develop expertise in Busbar technology and EV Battery Case Assemblies, while also expanding its customer base beyond the automotive sector.

In order to support this growth, Sertec Group has made significant investments in modernising its manufacturing processes and equipment. This includes the incorporation of advanced joining technologies like laser welding, high-speed automation, and robotic assembly cells with complex techniques such as flattening.

Furthermore, Sertec Group is heavily investing in research and development, site facilities, and technology. The company’s engineering department works closely with customers to design innovative and sustainable engineering solutions tailored to their specific industries, including automotive.

This year, Sertec has received recognition from prestigious organisations such as the Confederation of British Metalforming, naming them the 2024 Company of the Year. Additionally, they have been honoured with The Manufacturer MX awards as the 2024 Smart Factory Winner and 2024 Operational Excellence Finalist.

These accolades highlight Sertec’s commitment to industry leadership, excellence, innovation, and the integration of digital technologies into their manufacturing processes to drive efficiencies and informed decision-making.

By achieving these strategic goals, Sertec Group has positioned itself as a leading provider of sustainable engineering solutions, continuously striving for improvement and excellence.

With over 1200 employees across six global locations, including four UK manufacturing sites, a manufacturing site in Aszar, Hungary, and a tooling technical center in Dongguan, China, Sertec Group is dedicated to realising its vision to be the leading provider of sustainable engineering solutions.

The new assembly line will be fully operational in September 2021 and when in place will have the capability to produce in excess of 40 million electric vehicle battery Busbar assemblies per year. As the first mass production Busbar assembly line, it marks a vital step forward in electric vehicle technology for both the Midlands region and the UK.

Alongside the Busbar assemble line and at the heart of Sertec’s R&D investment is the fully equipped pre-production facility and testing lab. The Lab, built at a cost of £500,000 alone, has been invaluable in developing the Group’s abilities to design and test Busbars in modular battery production. The £1m pre-production facility has enabled Sertec to build protoypes and complete low volume orders for its customers. The production cell is currently being used to prove design concepts for assemblies requiring welding of dissimilar Busbar materials.

As well as developing new technologies essential for electric vehicle production, Sertec Group has also invested in similar technological innovation to support its customers in the consumer goods (FMCG) and distribution sectors.

Sertec’s investment extends to the recruitment of various highly skilled, specialist roles to support the technological innovation required within the EV sector.

Grant Adams, Group CEO at Sertec, said: “The investment we have made in new technology facilities are vital to the automotive industry’s ever evolving requirements for lightweight material production, which is set to become critical in future vehicle structures.

“As a UK first, the Busbar assembly line is integral to taking electric vehicle production forward both in the region and across the UK.

“It will help establish Sertec as one of the sector leading companies for this type of battery technology and put us at the heart of a regional manufacturing hub renowned for meeting the new technologic challenges of the future.”

With expansion into the electric vehicle sector key to Sertec’s future business vision, the Group is also preparing to build a larger footprint in mainland Europe, including bringing new leadership into the organisation. As a result, various senior staff have been recruited including a new European Sales Director, Chief Finance Officer, Vice President of Quality and Environmental Affairs, Vice president of Human Resource and a new Managing Director to run Sertec’s Hungarian facility.

Sertec are also looking to set up a technical centre in Germany, similar to the one they have in China.

The plan going forward is to repurpose the German plant as an electric vehicle component site using the know-how that’s been developed in the UK.

1) Operations – Since stopping production at all UK plants on the 24th March we have been monitoring the Customer plans and schedules. The impact of the overall Customer operational schedules changes means that all UK plants will remain closed until week commencing 11th May 2020. This applies to all UK sites at:

SASB Heavy stampings & Wincaster House Operations, SLC Hams Hall, SAST Tyseley, SLS Aston, SPC Witton SSWF Redditch and Wincaster House Offices

Details of a phased return to work at all sites will be shared with all employees in the first week of May

There could be local variations to the general return date for specific projects. In this case individual employees will be contacted about a return to work on a different date to the general rule stated above

The Operations in Germany (SFB) are still ongoing but now operating on a reduced working week. Operations at the Hungary facility (SASH) are currently on stand down with the restart date still to be confirmed.

2) Furlough – The majority of our employees from all UK sites are following the Governments Job Retention Scheme which commenced on March 25th 2020 following the closure of all sites on March 24th 2020. The Company has concluded an agreement with the Unite Trade Union that supports both the business needs and ensures that the Government guidelines are followed.

3) Return to Work – As part of the new protection and safeguarding policy we will be reviewing the shift changeover and break time procedures at all sites in order to follow social distancing guidelines that are essential for the benefit of all employees. Each facility will be advised and will be party to the discussions to support the policy in due course.

4) Home Working – This process will continue for all relevant departments during the stand down period such as Payroll, HR, Commercial and Engineering. Personnel from other areas of the business may be required to attend work in the stand down period and individuals will be contacted as and when required.

5) Employee Welfare – We are aware of a small number of employees around the Group that have symptoms of the virus and are receiving appropriate medical care.

As valued members of the Sertec family we send our best wishes to everyone that is suffering ill health at this very difficult time and we wish everyone a speedy recovery in the coming days and weeks.

The up-to-date information as of today is that the employees affected are improving with several discharges from hospital, which is fantastic news and we sincerely hope that all employees can avoid the infection.

6) Help and Support – During this difficult time there could be ways that you could potentially ease any immediate financial concerns that you may have by contacting local councils, banks and building societies regarding payment holidays, plus you may need to cancel or defer memberships where the services are no longer available for you to use ie Gym membership, sky sports etc.

7) Developments – Sertec have registered with the British Government to support the development and supply of critical medical equipment (i.e. Ventilators) we are currently working with other British Companies to supply low volume structural components for these products. The project is at an early stage but we will dedicate time and effort into forming a partnership that can manufacture components that are critical to support our National Health Service.

We will keep you informed of the progress of this project in due course

8) Communication – We will endeavour to keep you informed by direct contact of any developments which will include any amendments to the ‘Return to Work’ plan as indicated above. It will assist this process if you are able to supply the business with your personal e mail address. Please supply your name, clock number, site and e mail address using HREnquiries@sertec.co.uk. Please also check the website – sertec.co.uk

Please ensure that you and your family members do your utmost to follow the Government advice on staying at home, social distancing as your contribution will help to save lives by restricting the spread of this terrible disease that has already affected so many families in our country and around the world.

The key factor throughout all of this very difficult period is that we all work together and on behalf of Board I want to thank you for your understanding and support. Please stay safe and we all look forward to returning to normal activities when the virus is under control.

Steve Moore
Group H.R. Director

Stephen has been with Sertec since 1996 and has occupied several key positions over the years up to the present day, including being a Director in Engineering, Operations and New Projects. Most recently Stephen has been directly involved in the project management and development of the 540 and 590 JLR programmes in our Hungarian facility, which included extensive links to the UK and China Offices to ensure effective introduction of the new vehicle build plans in Austria.

As part of new Engineering developments within the automotive sector Stephen was also a key player in the introduction of pressed and welded Aluminium products for Sertec, that now feature on multiple JLR vehicles. This technology will form part of the short, medium and long term plans for Sertec as the business continues to progress in the future.

Stephen’s contribution to the sustained growth of Sertec is greatly appreciated by the main Board of Directors and Company Shareholders and we extend our sincere thanks to him for his services over the years.

Stephen has a considerable portfolio of Managerial, Engineering and Project experience in the automotive sector both in the UK and now in mainland Europe and we are sure that he will be able to utilise these valuable skills either within the automotive industry or in another market depending on personal choices.

Finally on behalf of all Sertec employees both in the UK and European operations we wish Stephen good luck for the future in the pursuit of a new career challenge.

We start with the centralisation of the whole Commercial team from Precision Components to Wincaster House, where they are located on the first floor alongside our Engineering and Purchasing teams. This is an essential move to help develop, progress and bring the teams together, whilst enhancing our services internally and externally.

Secondly, we congratulate Richard Lane who will be exiting the business in September as he begins his retirement. Richard started work in 1989 after graduating university as a ‘Senior Production Engineer’, he successfully climbed up the ladder and eventually joined Wild Springs and Wireforms in 2004 as ‘Director & General Manager’; growing it from £4million to £7million business. Richard has amassed extensive experience in Commercial through his varied roles throughout his 29 year career, thus, progressing to Director in charge of Commercial activity; growing Wild from £8 million to £50 million business.

Furthermore, we would like to congratulate Adam Smith, John Baker, Tom Singleton and Wayne Woodall for their promotions to Assistant Commercial Manager – these advancements are thoroughly deserved and we wish them every success.

Ben Higgins will assume overall Group responsibility for all Commercial activities with the Commercial team reporting directly into Carol Henderson as Head of Commercial. Carol will be supported by a team of Senior Managers who all have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the business and will be tasked with leading and supporting new customers.

We believe these changes will provide an improvement in overall business performance and a focus on meeting the increased demands of our customers.