Category: Press releases

此次擴建彰顯了Sertec致力推動電動車技術發展，並滿足日益增長的永續交通解決方案需求的承諾。新廠房專為滿足現代電動車製造的嚴苛要求而設計，涵蓋高性能絕緣、高精度及潔淨度等關鍵要素。這些要素對於確保電動車電池的安全性、熱效率、精準度與使用壽命至關重要，而電動車電池正是推動電動化革命的核心關鍵。

隨著電動車市場持續擴張，電池系統中有效絕緣的重要性日益凸顯。高性能絕緣材料對於電氣絕緣、熱管理、降低能量損耗至關重要，同時有助於全面提升車輛效能。此趨勢正驅動著材料與製造製程的創新，諸如Sertec等企業正引領開發先進永續工程解決方案的潮流。

電動車電池製造所需的精密程度，其重要性再怎麼強調都不為過。由於採用緊湊型設計，必須嚴格控制公差範圍才能確保達成設計目標。Sertec在Wincaster House投入這些尖端生產技術，正反映出業界正朝向更高精度的電動車零組件發展。

Sertec在電動車零組件製造領域的獨特優勢，在於整合多項尖端技術。位於溫卡斯特廠區的新型電池外殼生產線，將精密沖壓與表面處理技術結合高品質絕緣塗層應用，實現極高產能。此全方位解決方案不僅滿足產品需求，更使Sertec在快速發展的電動車市場中確立領導地位。

工程總監理查德·薩德勒表示：「我們在溫卡斯特廠區新建電池外殼生產設施的投資，彰顯了我們對電動車技術創新與卓越品質的承諾。我們自豪能站在這個充滿活力的產業前沿，並期待持續推動交通運輸的永續轉型。」

隨著此次最新擴建，Sertec已做好充分準備，以滿足電動車市場日益增長的需求，並為未來更清潔、更高效的車輛發展貢獻力量。

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.