JJ Hardy and Sons, has widened its range of services and raised productivity with the purchase of a Jones and Shipman 'TechMaster' 634X 600 x 300mm table capacity surface grinder.

North-east precision engineers JJ Hardy and Sons, has widened itsrange of services and raised productivity with the purchase of aJones and Shipman 'TechMaster' 634X 600 x 300mm tablecapacity surface grinder. The microprocessor controlledTechMaster, which was selected and specified by Hardy'sManaging Director Andrew Pailor, was commissioned and productivewithin a month of the initial sales enquiry. 'It was an easyfinancial decision to choose the TechMaster,' says MrPailor, 'As it gives us the opportunity to keep control ofgrinding operations in-house and to seek new business horizonswith the added flexibility this excellent machine gives us.'Jones and Shipman's worldwide reputation of excellence inprecision surface grinding attracted Mr Pailor when he wasinvestigating the feasibility of adding grinding operations tohis company's capabilities.

With considerable experience inquality CNC milling, Hardy's saw a growth opportunity forsupplying precision-ground components.

American Axle andManufacturing, which has several plants in the UK and who isalready an established customer, was identified as a possibleclient for ground parts.

Regional Sales Manager Paul Chickinvited Mr.Pailor to Jones and Shipman's LeicesterHeadquarters to identify his exact needs.

The new 600 x 300mmTechMaster 634X (part of a four model range with table capacitiesfrom 500 x 200mm to 1000 x 500mm) was recommended anddemonstrated.

Andrew was very impressed as it perfectly matchedhis requirements for quality, price range, health and safetyconsiderations and expected volume of work.

Working closely withGeoff Walker of Jones and Shipman's technical department, aninitial batch of samples was produced and submitted toHardy's for inspection.

The results were excellent and theorder for the TechMaster 634X was subsequently placed.Established in 1856 in Hartlepool, JJ Hardy and Sons enjoys alongevity and reputation that few companies can claim to have.The company started manufacturing as brass founders andengineers.

Andrew Pailor is the third generation of his family torun the company successfully.

'I strongly believe ininvesting in new technology,' says Mr Pailor, whosegrandfather bought the company from the founding Hardy family in1937.

They have been in the present premises since 1967 andachieved ISO9002 accreditation back in 1990.

'We are aforward looking company and in five years we will be celebratingour 150th anniversary.

We believe in investing in training sohave a good modern apprenticeship scheme, employ thirty peopleand operate around the clock,' continued Mr Pailor.'The new machine gives us a good rate per hour and weoperate five days and nights per week,' states Mr Pailor.'It allows us to get the most out of our skilled people whocan produce top quality components with no wastage.' Withits simplified Man machine interface (MMI) and microprocessortechnology, the Techmaster assists the operator to achieve thehigh levels of productivity, together with the precision and easeof use that the company is looking for.

The firm's customerbase currently includes many of the UK's leading railwaycompanies and provides precision services for a wide range ofindustry sectors including commercial and off-highway vehicles,chemical, oil and food processing, power generation and sub-seaapplications.

JJ Hardy and Sons now enjoys an excellent workingrelationship with Jones Shipman and can see the possibility ofinvesting in other 'J and S' grinding machines asmarkets develop.

'To sum up the whole commissioningprocess,' continued Mr Pailor, 'I am very impressedwith the facilities, personnel and technical support provided byJones and Shipman International.

They worked with us quickly andefficiently right from my initial enquiry to provide the idealsolution for our production needs at a price that we couldafford.' Managing Director Andrew Pailor also confirmed,'With the Jones and Shipman TechMaster 634X we are providingour customers with the right product first time, everytime.'2