Advanced Machinery Services double W10 stand size

In these days of doom and gloom it is encouraging to carry a report of a success story, albeit one whose basis is the demise of another company.

 Advanced Machinery Services (AMS) were set up over 2 years ago by 2 ex-directors of Wadkin, Steve McGloin and Steve Foster.  The aim was to utilise their knowledge, particularly of moulders, in setting up a company offering ‘servicing’ to the woodworking industry in the UK.  Things have moved ahead rapidly with turnover doubling in each of the years to 2010 and a 12 strong workforce, all with in depth knowledge of the industry and the types of machine – ie all ex-Wadkin employees.

During the last two years they have expanded through gaining major contracts with the BSW Group, A W Champion and Bayram Timber, to name just a few.  Added to this they purchased all the Wadkin spares and components at auction and now hold over 132,000, plus some semi-finished grinders.  So now, although the company’s initial impetus was purely through servicing they have a major spares supply operation both in the UK and overseas, major markets include the USA and Australia.  They also have the facilities for the production of one-off spares if stock is exhausted.  Everything the company do has its basis in offering its service operation, but this then leads on to rebuilding projects, supplying second hand machines and more recently, new machines.  A typical example is Bayram Timber  The initial service contract has led to the supply of two more high speed rebuilt moulders with plans for a regular replacement policy going forward.

For BSW Group Company Howie Forest Products, on top of the service contract has been added a 4 weeks training in high speed moulding technology for 12 employees at AMS, going through a moulder training programme covering everything from maintenance to tooling, grinding to jointing.  The rebuilding service covers not just Wadkin moulders but other machines as well, as does the servicing contract.  They can even lend the customer a machine whilst rebuilding their own to avoid downtime.

For A W Champion the maintenance contract was signed for all 9 branches for the 3 times a year regular maintenance programme on each machine backed up by the AMS 24/7 guarantee on callouts, although AMS have their fingers crossed about Christmas Day.

With mature contracts now in place, AMS are frequently being asked to acquire new machinery for customers and have set up an arrangement to market the Casadei range of ‘classical machinery’ from IWM, whose MD is another ex-Wadkin man, Ian Brown.

Perhaps the last word should be with a satisfied customer.  Tony Clarke, Production & Technical Director of Bayram Timber says, “As a company we have nearly always preferred to have our moulding machines rebuilt, with great success, I might say.  Thankfully once AMS were able to offer this service to us, we had no hesitation whatsoever in continuing down our preferred route.  Given our requirements and knowing all the people involved at AMS, I am sure this is the first and second of many orders to come.  We have total confidence in everything AMS do for us.”

Advance Machinery Services will be exhibiting at W10 and have just doubled the size of their stand.  As usual the emphasis will be on their service operation, as the company says, “Our philosophy is service everything else leads on from that.”

Tel:                  0844 844 9949

Fax:                0844 844 4744

Email:             sales@advancedmachinery.co.uk

Website:         www.advancedmachinery.co.uk

Steve McGloin Mobile 07500781384