Driving innovation at Shafton Steel with FICEP systems and service

A TRUSTED PARTNERSHIP

FICEP’S SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

As well as supplying cutting-edge technology, FICEP UK also provides exceptional service support to Shafton Steel. “Their service contracts offer peace of mind”, Jon says. “Issues are rare, but when they do occur, FICEP responds swiftly to minimise downtime. Their commitment to aftersales support is a huge benefit.”

FICEP PROUD TO SUPPORT SHAFTON STEEL JOURNEY

Chris Berriman, FICEP UK sales director, says: “Working with Billington Structures and Shafton Steel Services has been a fantastic experience. Their forward-thinking approach and continued investment in innovation underline a clear commitment to excellence. We are very proud to be part of their journey.”

DELIVERING MEASURABLE VALUE

Investments in FICEP technology have streamlined operations, reduced manual processes, and significantly increased overall productivity. With advanced machinery and dependable support from FICEP UK, Billington Structures and Shafton Steel Services continue to lead the way in steel fabrication.

For over 15 years, FICEP UK has been a trusted partner of Shafton Steel Services, a division of Billington Structures. Since Billington Structures acquired the Shafton site in 2017, the partnership has strengthened, supported by significant investments in advanced machinery to enhance efficiency and production capabilities.

Shafton Steel Services is a key supplier to the structural steel industry, offering high-quality steel processing and fabrication. Its facility is equipped with advanced systems for cutting, drilling, milling, and welding processes, ensuring precision and efficiency in large-scale steel production.

One of the first major installations at Shafton was the FICEP ENDEAVOUR, chosen for its industry-leading capabilities. This machine transformed the fabrication process by automating face marking, notching, milling, drilling, tapping, and countersinking – streamlining tasks that were previously manually handled and time-consuming.

The introduction of the FICEP GEMINI further expanded Shafton’s capabilities. “The GEMINI was one of our first installations, and it quickly proved invaluable,” says Jon Wright, associate production director at Billington Structures and Shafton Steel Services. “Previously, our plasma machines could handle basic cutting and hole-making, but the GEMINI streamlined processes by combining plasma cutting, scribing, and milling into one operation.”

Recognising its impact, Shafton Steel extended the GEMINI’s bed, enabling the processing of larger plate girders, and installed a second unit to increase outputs.

To further improve productivity, the Corimpex column and boom system was introduced, offering greater flexibility in handling plate girders. Building on its success, the site also adopted the Corimpex T&I line – a highly automated solution that has significantly increased plate girder production, supplied through FICEP UK.

Stock management was optimised through FICEP UK’s vending system, enabling real-time inventory tracking, streamlined control, and consolidated invoicing. In addition, FICEP’s remote monitoring feature supports proactive maintenance and identifies training needs maximising uptime.