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Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Visits & Makes Big Announcement

Posted on 21st August 202417th December 2024 by admin

The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, announced the new MaST agreement Monday, on a visit to Somers Forge yesterday, based in Halesowen. The new agreement gives small and medium sized companies the chance to bid for work under a seven-year framework, worth up to £850 million.

Our Thoughts

“As a multi-generational family business, it was an honour to host the MaST framework announcement at our Midlands-based forging and engineering company. Our workforce possesses extensive traditional and modern engineering skills which are essential to supporting the UK’s current and future sovereign capabilities. I feel the announced framework is a pertinent step towards ensuring that UK SME manufacturing companies, such as ours, continue to play an important role in MOD contracts well into the future”.
Amy Folkes, Group Director

During the site visit, MinDPI witnessed first-hand the advanced forging processes on the hammers and presses, including seeing a 36 tonne ingot being forged in our heavy forge. The event saw many key figures from the MOD, including Toni Gray, Programme Director, along with other top industry leaders such as Dr. Simon Dakin, Director Integrated Battlespace and Samira Braund, ADS Group Defence Director.

”Being selected for the MAST framework represents a huge opportunity for our business. We have been a defence supplier since 1912 and are incredibly proud of our heritage supporting the Royal Navy. For Somers Forge, winning contracts through MAST can help us sustain vital jobs and apprenticeships in the Midlands, as well as underpin our growth ambitions.”
Samson Folkes, Managing Director

Hosting this announcement is a significant milestone, especially since opportunities like this typically go to large primes. It underscores our unwavering commitment to bolstering the UK’s defence capabilities.

Rear Admiral Visit

Posted on 23rd January 202417th December 2024 by Emily

Last week was truly a special time for our company as we had the privilege of hosting Rear Admiral Doull CBE! This visit follows us receiving the Collaboration & Diligence award by the Dreadnought Alliance Supply Forum. Showing our family-owned business based in Halesowen can compete with the biggest engineering names.

Supporting The Royal Navy’s Submarine Fleet

During the visit, Rear Admiral Doull witnessed our advanced forging process with a 20-tonne shaft being forged on our 4000-tonne press. He also observed our meticulous craftsmanship and quality control measures that goes into every one of our produced components, essential for the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.

Jon Warr Sales Director, “It was an honour to welcome the Rear Admiral Doull to Somers Forge. This visit reaffirms our commitment to supply the highest quality critical components for the UK submarine programme and underscores the importance of local manufacturing in supporting the national defence effort”.

Winner At BAE Systems Quality Awards

Posted on 27th June 202326th January 2024 by admin

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we’ve been awarded the Zero Defect Award at the BAE Systems Supplier Quality Awards! 🎉

This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional quality in everything we do. We take immense pride in ensuring that our customers receive only the very best, and this award is proof of the hard work and dedication of our entire team!

Introducing our new Brinell Hardness Tester

Posted on 28th March 202326th January 2024 by Holly Lacey

New Brinell Hardness Tester

We are continuing to invest in the latest technologies and equipment to meet the needs of our customers. Our most recent investment is in our testing equipment, investing £180,000 in a Foundrax X-BHD Brinell hardness Tester. Foundrax are widely known to have the highest hardness performance within the industry and build machines to operate in the toughest industrial environments, making it a perfect fit for us. Having this machine will ensure we continue to produce products to the highest quality and remove human error.

Benefits of the Foundrax X-BHD

Investing in this machine was an important decision as it provides a high degree of reliability, repeatability and accuracy that is key to achieving long-term success. Dependable data, and accurate readings that are gathered will allow us to improve performance over time. Other benefits of this machine include auditable processes, pass and fail statuses as well as decreasing the test cycle by 50%.

To ensure parts are produced with the highest level of precision, we will be placing sawing and testing operations in one designated area which will improve and increase workflow. The installation of the integral Brintronic automatic microscope in the machine has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for heavy engineering. With this technology, it is now possible to achieve laboratory-like results in a heavy engineering setting! This new technology allows direct readings and recordings of results to be gathered without any extra effort or time, providing valuable insights and data that can be used to improve processes and efficiency.

Features the machine has include being able to measure multiple diameters and having a heavy-duty static test bed what can test large components. The equipment also has longevity in mind and comes with an internal component of the Type B and Type D test head, which are rated 4x factor of safety, and actuator column is rated at 6x.

Recent Investments

Investment is an integral part of any company’s growth and is at the fore front of our minds. Most recently, we have invested in a new CNC vertical borer and acquired the Oldbury based engineering firm, A&B Richardson Engineering. This has further increased our capabilities and capacity to meet the ever-increasing demand for precision machined forgings. This new investment will ensure that we can continue to provide the highest quality products and services to our customers.

Somers Forge Acquires A&B Richardson Engineering

Posted on 25th May 202217th December 2024 by Victoria Allen

We are proud to announce the acquisition of A&B Richardson Engineering, which will continue to operate under the A&B Richardson Engineering name.

This deal will allow us to build upon current machining capabilities, with it tripling our CNC machining capacity! A&B Richardson Engineering based in Oldbury, and is a leading tool and die manufacturer. They have continually invested in a variety of CNC machines, CAD design capabilities and also new welding capabilities.

The acquisition of the machine shop is part of the Somers Forge long term strategy to expand machining capacity and capabilities after seeing increased demand for finished components. The established machining facility and long serving experienced machinists provides immediate capacity for fulfilling the recent order book growth. A&B Richardson has been a trusted sub-contract machining facility, used by Somers Forge for many years.

Alex Cross, Production Director said “Last year we made a million-pound investment on a new CNC vertical boring machine which will help us to manage capacity for that range of product. We also recognised the need for greater capacity with CNC milling so the acquisition of A&B Richardson was the perfect solution. The purchase has tripled our CNC machining capacity and further enhanced our capabilities, allowing us to continue to offer competitive lead times and products of the highest quality’’.

Welcome A&B Richardson Engineering to the Somers Team!