UK-based Centek Group opened it its new US$13 million factory and expects to increase its UK production capacity.
The expanded works in Newton Abbot, Devon, occupies 75,000sq ft, which with the US factory that opened in 2012 gives a total of 147,000sq ft of plant space.
In the UK there are now four laser cutting production lines, two powder coating machines, and one heat treatment plant with a second due to be in full operation by December. The Oklahoma facility brings to bear two additional production lines and one heat treatment plant. This gives the Centek Group the capability to turnover $220 million annually.
Since 2011, Centek says it has invested $24 million in its UK and US plants, and together the two factories give the company the largest centralizer manufacturing capability available today.
“Due to improvements we’ve made in manufacturing capacity, new equipment, technical training and lean manufacturing methods we are able to manufacture much more efficiently, for example the manufacturing process after laser cutting prior to heat treatment is down from two minutes to 40 seconds per centralizer,” says Tony Cutmore, managing director Centek Group. “The Newton Abbot factory can now treble manufacturing output and the Oklahoma City plant is expected to double manufacturing capacity thanks to the new CNC equipment. We now have a springboard for the next 4-5 years of manufacturing growth.”
With 10 mechanical engineers devoting their time to R&D, Centek is focussed on developing the new products the Industry needs for extended reach and ultra deepwater wells. The company sends development engineers into the field to talk to oil company engineers to see if they can produce new tools.
Centek centralizers are designed and produced to order for each well. Centek can process small orders in 1-2 days, with large orders taking up to 10 days. These short lead times are possible through using advanced computer controlled equipment and processes in the most automated plants in the Industry. Oklahoma City supplies the USA, Canada and Mexico, while Newton Abbot distributes to the rest of the world.
Image from Centek.
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