MGTS realises cost savings on welding equipment

The project is an excellent illustration of not only the performance of the equipment concerned, but also of the services available from Westermans International. The Leicester-based company sources, refurbishes and supplies welding and associated equipment worldwide.

“As a National Centre of Excellence for Education, Training, Development and Assessment, MGTS provides an important engineering apprenticeship facility for both young people and adults alike,” says Craig Westerman, Sales and Operational Director.  “Our initial work with the organisation goes back some 10 years, so we have been delighted to have been contacted again to fulfil equipment needs for both the Coventry and Redditch training centres.”  

The latest order is centred on a series of Fronius TIG welding units – the Fronius 3000 Magicwave AC/DC welding systems have been supplied complete with water cooling and foot control and bring with them a reputation for robust design and reliability.  “The units offer full digital control and provide a virtually soundless, stable arc in operation,” adds Craig Westerman.

Significantly, MGTS has been able to realise significant cost advantages by turning to Westermans for its equipment supply. Because the company has highly active contacts worldwide for the procurement of used equipment and a comprehensive refurbishment and refitting service, it says it can supply reliable welding equipment solutions at a fraction of the cost of new units. At MGTS, this has resulted in an estimated expenditure saving of some 66% while meeting all of the operational needs of the customer.

“The equipment provided by Westermans represents excellent value for money, particularly as we have been able to purchase top specification welding units which are effectively as good as new,” says Neil Russell, MGTS Centre Lead at Coventry.  “The service that it has provided is first class, particularly as Westermans has focussed on meeting our specific requirements within predefined budgets.”  

He points out that his organisation is playing an increasingly key role in helping to bridge the skills gap and draws attention to the fact that this is underscored by demographic considerations that see skilled workers leaving the industry with fewer then able to pass on their skills to the next generation.  “Our apprenticeship programmes are delivered within the framework of the government’s ‘Standard Engineering’ qualification that is now replacing NVQs,” he adds.

This is a key consideration that is fully endorsed by Craig Westerman and which, he says, is set to become more significant as new projects are built in the UK.  He points out that some 13% of Britain’s welders come from other countries in the European Economic Area.  “For someone who is new to welding, the training can take over three years to reach the high standard necessary to work on a project as challenging, for example, as a nuclear facility, so the services provided by MGTS clearly play an important role,” he adds.

For Westermans International, its involvement with MGTS not only represents an opportunity to work with a customer who can make the most of its experience and services, but also enables the welding equipment supplier to play an important role in helping to build engineering skills into the future.