Ezy-Fit Hydraulics recently opened a 700sqm extension at its headquarters in Salisbury South, Adelaide, which will enable it to increase production and create new jobs.
The company, which manufactures hydraulic cylinders for a wide range of industries, employs 75 people at its Salisbury factory.
The extension has already created employment for about 15 people and Managing Director Terry Kerin said that with the company well placed to continue its current growth, there would be further extension opportunities in the future.
"We are in expansion mode again with increased sales and market share across Australia," Kerin said during the opening ceremony. "We have invested in a new hone with a 7.5m stroke, a 12m-bed lathe and have recently ordered a DMG DMU 65 MonoBlock 3-pallet machining centre and a state-of-the-art CTX beta 1250 TC turn/mill centre, also with the help of a government grant."
Kerin is aware that as technology changes, his company needs to be at the forefront of this change to maintain its competitive edge.
"My best salesman is word of mouth," he said. "It is days like these open days where people walk away and see we have invested in the latest technology, which can win us future orders we might have otherwise missed out on. Moreover, 5-axis and multi-tasking machining centres give us the option for contract machining if the hydraulic business went quiet one day."
“Since the first installation of a DMC 60 T Five pallet machining centre at Ezy-Fit in 2006, there has been a significant investment in manufacturing technology with the installation of machines to improve output and reduce parts handling,” added Phil Green, DMG/Mori Seiki Area Sales Manager in Adelaide.
“Machines like the CTX beta 1250 TC are designed to significantly reduce setups and give greater flexibility to production shops whilst maintaining high accuracy.”
The new turn/mill centre offers the combined milling and turning technology of the CTX Series, plus an integrated disk magazine of 24 tools with fast tool exchange, 120 tools are available as an option.
Users also enjoy the integration of a controlled slide with a powerful B-axis milling spindle for five-axis simultaneous machining. The CTX turn/mill centre is DMG/Mori Seiki’s top model for the production of medium-sized workpieces up to 1250mm long by 390mm in diameter, or for bar material up to 104mm in diameter.
The ability of six-sided complete machining delivers a decisive competitive advantage. “We buy the latest technology because it has got a benefit to us in our progression in keeping up with technology as our designs become more complicated,” he explained.
“While employing more people due to our continuing growth, we now need less operators because the machines are self-sufficient, are bar-fed and automatic conveyors remove the parts.”
Kerin decided to work with DMG because of the local backup service and Green’s expertise and support.