TPT March 2018

I NDUS T RY

Unison expands US manufacturing capability with new factory complex

what is a major step forward for Unison and we are thrilled to be working with them. We cannot say thank you enough to all the Virginians who have helped bring us to this day.” Alan Pickering, joint managing director, said: “We are thrilled to be announcing this expansion with a community that understands our vision of education and industry working in partnership. A huge part of our decision was where are we going to recruit the highly technical people we need for our current automation requirements, prepare for Industry 4.0 and have a clear succession plan for the business. “We were blown away by the vision of the community and the fact it wasn’t just talk. The investment in the Danville Technical Education community is a true inspiration and will pay huge dividends to the community in the years to come. With such solid foundations, we feel secure in our own future and look forward to the next phase of our evolution.” Over the last three years Unison has been investing heavily in research and development in robotics, lasers and software, and during 2018 it will be bringing several new products to the US market, which it believes will add value to its customer base. Combining Unison’s new strategic location – within easy reach of its current customers – and its increased focus on service and support, as well as its UK technical centre expertise, creates the opportunity to introduce its high-tech solutions to the US market, the company said. Unison has also launched a new US-based Tube Bending Training School. For more than 40 years Unison has been providing tube bending solutions, working closely with its customers to design and build advanced tube bending technology. Unison was the first company to design and manufacture all-electric tube bending machinery back in 1994. Since then it has continued to provide innovative solutions to challenging tube bending problems.

the benefits this facility will give our existing and future customers. Our plan includes the creation of 35 new jobs in the next three years. It will be fantastic to genuinely be able to label our machines as ‘Made in America’. Supporting our customers’ needs is hugely important to us. Many of our initial hires for the US will be dedicated to service and support, ensuring a rapid and professional response for all customers. “Unison invented the ‘all-electric tube bending machine’ and then enhanced the technology with unique complementary products and after- market services. With this US venture, we intend to lead tube bending solutions’ innovation. None of this would have been possible without the fantastic support from the state of Virginia, the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. The governor and his team have been instrumental in

TUBE bending solutions provider Unison Ltd has increased its manufacturing capacity after opening a new factory in Virginia, USA. This is Unison’s second manufactur- ing facility, establishing the company’s commitment to production in the USA. The new factory in Danville, Virginia, is intended to support the activities of the plant in North Yorkshire, UK, which has witnessed a considerable manufacturing growth that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Unison will invest $5.2mn to establish its first US manufacturing operation in the Cane Creek Centre Industrial Park, jointly owned by the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County. Julian Kidger, joint managing director, said: “We are incredibly excited about

Unison Ltd – UK Website: www.unisonltd.com

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MARCH 2018