Refurbished moulding machines help UK business take flight

Refurbished machinery has allowed a UK manufacturer to set up a moulding shop at its Suffolk premises for the production of parts for the aerospace and defence industries.

STVconnect, a UK-based supplier of high quality refurbished moulding machinery, supplied two BOY machines to MEL Aviation Limited, based in Sudbury, Suffolk, as well as an additional central chiller, mould heaters, hopper dryers, loaders and conveyors.

“Having worked for many years with BOY machines in my previous position, I was keen to start this new venture with machines I know and trust, so BOY machines were my preferred choice. However, our start-up budget was limited, hence the decision to look at pre-owned machines,” said John Gardiner, who headed up the start-up of the moulding shop at MEL Aviation.

STV customised two machines – a BOY22M and a BOY 80T2 – in order to fulfill the specification required by MEL Aviation, including making significant upgrades as well as replacing worn components. The machines and ancillaries were delivered to site in May 2013 and were fully commissioned and operational, including on-site training, within five weeks from receiving the order.

“After my initial visit to STV I was confident this was the right company to put together a package of reliable refurbished machines for us to start our new moulding operation. We had no moulding equipment so relied on STV to supply and install everything,” Gardiner continued.

MEL Aviation says it has gone from strength to strength in the year since STVconnect installed its moulding machinery. The company has recently acquired Cambridgeshire-based moulding specialist, Linton Plastics, taking the Group’s moulding operation from two machines to 11 in just 12 months.

Richard Perry, Director at STVconnect, said: “We’re delighted to have played a part in MEL Aviation’s successful moulding operations and we look forward to providing them with continued support in the future.”