CASE STUDIES

Part of British Heritage

The history of SU carburettors and pumps makes fascinating reading. Take a look at www.burlenfuels.co.uk/history for a wonderful story. Mechetronics have been supplying solenoid coils for their fuel pumps as long as anyone can remember and still today regular deliveries to Salisbury are being made.

Commenting on manufacturing techniques cell leader Amanda Coote said, “we still make the coils on the same equipment and in the same way as we have for all these years. Deliveries have to be much slicker these days with a 30 day lead time but otherwise it’s very much the same. We are proud to be associated with this little bit of British history.

Gambling on Reliable Supply

When Money Controls, the UK’s leading manufacturer of gaming machine coin mechanisms, were looking to outsource their solenoid manufacturing in the late 1990’s their key concerns were paying less than their UK material and labour costs and ensuring reliable supply despite uncertainties in their build profile from month to month.

With its unique Chinese JV arrangement and UK manufacturing backup Mechetronics were an obvious choice as partner. Since winning all the business different supply options have been used including consignment stock, customer managed inventory, 24 hour lead times and latterly direct bulk deliveries from China. Flexibility of service, excellent quality and secure supply all from Mechetronics.

European Distribution

We have been supplying Rauch with solenoids for more than 20 years. They are one of Germany’s leading manufacturers of agricultural equipment and the Mechetronics solenoid is used to control the distribution of seed and fertiliser. A relatively small user of solenoids (a few hundred of units a year) and irregular demand from their customers put pressure on the supply chain. This was resolved by introducing them to Industrial Electronics, our German distributor based in Frankfurt, who now hold stock and supply them on a 24 hour lead time.

Robert Rauch (Geschäftführer) said:
“No-one in the market beats you regarding custom-made solenoids. The price, quality and performance is excellent.”

“Since building up a supply chain with your German dealer we improved the delivery of the solenoid considerably.”

Automotive Excellence

Southco are a global manufacturer of locking systems to the automotive, aerospace and defence industries. We deal with their state of the art manufacturing unit and European head office in Worcestershire.

The development of a brand new solenoid operated glove box for world leading luxury automotive brands saw Mechetronics fend off competition from other supplier to become Southco’s chosen partner.

Supplying just in time to their manufacturing unit is achieved by buffering inventory in the UK and local assembly.

Commenting their Senior Buyer Victoria Barrett said:
“I believe Southco and Mechetronics have an aligned and integrated partnership, working closely together through difficult circumstances and remaining focused as a team on the end customer’s requirements.”

“Mechetronics have proven to be both professional and fully supportive of Southco in a proactive and efficient manner, innovate in ideas and welcoming of the lean principles advocated and shared by Southco.”

“A true partner in every sense of the word. We thank you for your on-going support”

UK Distribution

Aerco are Mechetronics major UK distributor based in Horsham, Surrey. They are different to other distributors because they have a design support team which specifically focussed on supporting customers through the design process so crucial when working with products like solenoids. Aerco care for a number of Mechetronics customers providing flexible supply, local contact and inventory management.

Commenting, the head of their design support team Kevin Ray said,
“Mechetronics and Aerco work closely together and through the design support team convert customer applications into working products, solving obsolete product supply problems and developing long term stock and supply schedules for large customers”

Working with Old Owners

Mechetronics used to be owned by Warner Electric and in the 13 years since then both companies have changed substantially. What we share however is a global presence and commitment to support customers who need actuation and control products.

Warner added solenoids to its portfolio a few years ago and seek opportunities to support Mechetronics throughout Europe for large supply contracts.

Engineering Consultancy

Mechetronics have been working recently with a leading microwave oven manufacturer who uses solenoids in their ovens doors. Low cost, high volume goes without saying but they also wanted design support along with help to specify and test their solenoid before finally deciding whether to buy directly from the Far East themselves or use Mechetronics logistics service. The result was a Mechetronics engineering support agreement under which design work is charged on a rebate basis and is refundable against production orders. Win/win for both parties.

The world’s leading supplier of printers have awarded Mechetronics the contract to supply solenoids for their latest innovative new product. [more]

Mechetronics is expanding its coverage in the Asia Pacific region with the appointment of a design engineer in India. [more]

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