FICEP AND HAD FAB: TRANSFORMING STEEL FABRICATION THROUGH INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY AND CARE

WHY HAD FAB PARTNERS WITH FICEP

A Long-Standing Collaboration

FICEP and Had Fab have worked together for over 20 years, growing through continuous collaboration and shared investment in advanced steel fabrication technology.

Productivity Through Automation

From angle lines to beams and plate processing systems, FICEP machines help Had Fab increase speed, accuracy and efficiency while reducing secondary operations.

Integrated Support and Software

With Steel Projects software and responsive UK-based service, FICEP ensures data-driven production, high uptime and long-term performance.

Had Fab, based in Tranent, East Lothian, is a leading structural engineering and metal fabrication company in the UK, employing over 200 people across 80,000 m² of production facilities. The company supplies the power transmission, substations, rail, telecommunications and renewables sectors, delivering highly complex structural steel and aluminium projects.

A PARTNERSHIP SPANNING MORE THAN TWO DECADES

The long-standing partnership between Had Fab and FICEP began in the early 2000s with the installation of angle line machines to support standard lattice tower production. As project complexity and production volumes increased, the relationship evolved in parallel with continuous investment in advanced fabrication technology.

In 2004, Had Fab invested in its first FICEP 1001 gantry drilling machine, marking its entry into advanced drilling processes. This was followed in 2007 by the installation of an ORIENT drill saw line, enabling more efficient processing of substations and structural steel components.

MACHINERY INVESTMENT TO MEET INCREASING COMPLEXITY

By 2013, tower designs had become significantly more complex, requiring machinery capable of handling variable angles and advanced notching requirements. Working closely with FICEP UK, FICEP’s subsidiary in Uk founded in 1999, Had Fab invested in the HP16 T6, a highly automated solution combining infeed, drilling and punching in a single processing cell. With multiple tool types available, the system supports complex notching angles while reducing secondary operations and improving overall efficiency.

Mr. Bobby Waddell, Head of Operations at Had Fab, explains:

“The towers were becoming more complicated. It wasn’t your standard 45-degree clip that was required – it was all angles. We reached out to FICEP, who designed the system, delivered what we required, and we were the first UK company to have that solution installed.”

HIGH-PERFORMANCE ANGLE LINES AND AUTOMATION

More recent investments include the latest XP angle line technology, introduced as part of a broader upgrade programme across multiple angle lines. The XP systems feature automated infeed and outfeed, integrated with Steel Projects nesting software, enabling precise product sorting, efficient bundling and clear material identification through cassette stamping.

These upgrades have delivered substantial improvements in speed, accuracy and productivity, while significantly reducing manual handling and downstream operations.

“The new XP machines will deliver the complex notching systems required not only by our customers but also for our internal processes. This will massively reduce secondary operations and further enhance productivity,” says Waddell.

PROCESSING HEAVY STRUCTURAL SECTIONS FOR TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE

To meet growing demand for larger and heavier tower components, Had Fab introduced the RAPID 25T, designed for drilling heavy sections up to 250 × 250 × 40 mm. The machine’s automation reduces manual handling, while scribing and sub-axis milling functions simplify assembly and improve accuracy.

Looking ahead, a RAPID 35T has been ordered to process even larger sections up to 350 × 350 × 40 mm, ensuring capacity for future UK power transmission and infrastructure projects.

PLATE PROCESSING, LASER CUTTING AND DIGITAL CONTROL

Additional investments include the TIPO G 25 plate processing machine, which combines machining, drilling, milling, tapping and thermal cutting in a single automated system. For high-speed processing of thinner plates, Had Fab also installed a 15 kW FICEP Helios, powered by Cutlite, providing flexibility and throughput alongside the TIPO G 25.

Digital integration is completed by Steel Projects software, which delivers real-time feedback on machine performance, throughput and shop floor activity. This data-driven approach supports improved forecasting, batch manufacturing and more informed equipment investment decisions.

SUPPORT, SERVICE AND FUTURE GROWTH

FICEP UK supports Had Fab with service contracts, remote online technical assistance and on-site support, ensuring maximum machine uptime. Consumables management has also been streamlined through a vending system, eliminating stock-outs and reducing administrative workload.

Mr. Chris Berriman, Sales Director at FICEP UK, comments:

“We don’t just supply machines – we listen to our customers’ challenges and innovate to meet their specific needs. That approach is central to every partnership we build.”

Reflecting on the collaboration, Mr. Waddell adds:

“We’ve been working with FICEP since 2002. They’ve installed the first 12 machines for us, and as we continue to grow with increasing market demand, we’ve now ordered another five machines that are due to be delivered.”

Through continuous investment in advanced steel fabrication machinery, digital optimisation and reliable local support, FICEP has supported Had Fab at every stage of its growth, enabling the company to meet rising demand while delivering increasingly complex structural projects.