Hoffmann Group

Hoffmann Group UK celebrates First Anniversary with Series of Key Appointments

Hoffmann Group — 05/11/2020

Birmingham-based Hoffmann Group UK, Europe's leading system partner for quality tools, workstations and personal protective equipment (PPE), has marked its first year operating in the UK with a string of new hires, increasing its headcount by approximately 20%.

Following on from the businesses’ reorganisation earlier this year, customer-facing technical expertise has been bolstered with the appointment of Chris Gordon and Angela Hatfield as key account managers, covering the whole of the UK, and Paula Rose as area sales manager, following 10 years at Cromwell.

The business has also boosted its PPE, site service and business development divisions, both regionally and nationally. Dharmesh Devabhai joins as PPE specialist, bringing with him a wealth of experience in keeping people safe at work. Amber Bloore has joined as site service co-ordinator, with the remit of supporting vending contracts and additional services across the country. Additional site service co-ordinators are also currently being recruited. Gary Quinney has also joined the business as senior technical support – bids and tenders.

Finally, Sian Fletcher has also joined the Birmingham-based subsidiary as finance manager, a position that was previously based in Germany, as part of Hoffmann Group’s continued commitment to the UK market.

Investment has also been made across other areas of the company, with the business having increased the size of its vehicle fleet in order to assist site service co-ordinators in fulfilling additional services and tool vending contracts. Furthermore, lower mileage company vehicle users have all switched to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, improving the businesses’ carbon footprint by enabling all of them to commute to and from the office using purely the electric engines.

The new appointments come as part of Hoffmann Group UK’s business reorganisation, which was implemented earlier this year to provide the businesses’ growing customer base with a more bespoke, effective service through bolstering the number of experts available to advise and consult with clients. Through this, the business has boosted its expertise, introducing dedicated support for large national accounts and additional specialised resource to support services such as inventory management, calibration and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO). Additional investment has also been committed towards computer-aided design (CAD) software for its in-house specialists, further broadening its technical and design capabilities.

Hoffmann Group UK also has major expansion plans in place for 2021. Specifically, there are plans in place to increase headcount further to support the launch of Connected Manufacturing, a smart software solution for an efficient manufacturing organisation. Looking further ahead, the business also has plans in place to double in size by 2023, through more effectively delivering a broad range of services designed to help customers reduce costs and increase productivity.
Tim Paddison, managing director at Hoffmann Group UK, commented: “Our first year of operating in the UK has been, considering how challenging the past few months have been for the industry, an extremely successful one.

“We have grown rapidly, and even implemented a complete reorganisation of how we operate in order to provide a better service for our customers during these unprecedented times. As a result of this, we are now in a fantastic place to push on and support manufacturers through whatever challenges the coming months may bring.

“As we move into 2021, our goal is to build upon the strong foundations we have laid in place and strive for bigger and better goals for the business over the coming months – watch this space!”

For more information, please visit https://www.hoffmann-group.com/GB/en/houk/

100% Production Increase After Investment at Yorkshire Precision Engineering

Hoffmann Group — 16/07/2025

Family-owned UK based manufacturer; Yorkshire Precision Engineering have been investing to increase production capacity. The investment has been part of a drive to shorten lead times and provide an unmatched service for their customers. Ensuring they maintain a modern flare with the latest technology, YPEL has invested in the latest GARANT Xtric vices from Hoffmann Group UK, for their CNC machines. This small yet mighty change has seen the company surpass their goal of producing 1000 parts a week and increasing production by almost 100%.

Founded in 2001 by Micheal Laybourne, Yorkshire Precision Engineering produces a range of high quality milled and turned CNC parts. A 2nd generation family-owned business, the company has recently been taken over by brothers Jack Laybourne & Sam Laybourne. Working for the business whilst growing up, the pair have become experts in their field and are eager to invest and improve their services.

With manufacturing accuracy at the heart of what they do, an ambition of theirs has been to increase production capacity without compromising on quality – since taking over the business 4 years ago. Technical Director Jack Laybourne’s aspirations are to streamline the company’s current workflow, make the manufacturing more efficient and diversify into new markets. Successfully working towards that goal, the company opened another site in Keighley and continue to invest.

The GARANT XTric vice from Hoffmann Group UK is one of the products that has been making a major difference to YPEL’s production capabilities. Jack Laybourne, Technical Director, said: “previously we were struggling with hitting our target number of parts produced weekly. The new vices from Hoffmann group UK have helped us produce more parts with longer running times on the machines. This allows us to utilise our time better like checking parts whilst the machines run, ultimately producing more parts weekly”.

With their old vices, the company were running two operations at 4-minute cycles - this produced around 4 parts every two minutes. With the new vices from Garant, the company is producing 12 parts every 13 minutes – ultimately making almost double the parts they were previously. What makes the Garant Xtric vice more unique than others on the market is the opportunity to add different jaw types.

This means the company aren’t only saving time for the operators and producing more parts, they can also complete other jobs without taking the vices out of the machine – another invaluable time and cost saver. Jack continued: “Our previous goal was to produce around 1000 parts a week. With the Garant vices, we are producing around 300-400 parts a day.”

Hoffmann Group UK’s support in procuring the new vices has helped solved an ongoing challenge for YPEL, one that could not be solved by previous suppliers. This has given Jack and the team more confidence to try other products from Hoffmann Group UK and trust the advice from their specialists. Jack concluded: “The knowledge that Hoffmann specialists have of their products and of the manufacturing industry is extremely valuable. They have become suppliers we can trust to offer the right solution”.

Hoffmann Group UK is manufacturer and supplier of industrial equipment to more than 135,000 customers across the globe. Headquartered in Germany, the company has 50 subsidiaries including Birmingham, UK. The organisation offers its customers expert advice with specialist consultants in PPE, Cutting Tools, Measuring Equipment and Workstations and Storage. As a manufacturer, Hoffmann prides itself on creating solutions for industry with manufacturers in mind.

Discover the range of products at Hoffmann Group UK products by heading to https://www.hoffmann-group.com/

Find out more about Yorkshire Precision Engineering by visiting their website https://www.ypel.co.uk/

Continuous Improvement: ZF Services UK Partners with Hoffmann Group to Revamp Calibration Lab

Hoffmann Group — 08/09/2025

ZF Services UK based in Nottingham has partnered with Hoffmann Group UK to renovate their calibration laboratory to help improve productivity. The company has invested in workstations and storage solutions from Hoffmann Group to reorganise the laboratory as they move the operation to a bigger area. With the help of technical specialists from Hoffmann Group, ZF has secured better suited workstation and storage solutions that has improved organisation and is helping the team be more productive.

ZF Services UK has been trading in Nottingham for 40 years, their commitment to improvement through investment has played an important role in their longevity. Overhauling and repairing gear boxes and transmissions for the transport and defence industries, ZF pride themselves on quality and accuracy – one of the reasons for investing in the new calibration laboratory.

Josh Symons, Quality Assurance Engineer at ZF Services UK has worked for the company for 14 years. Having worked for various areas of the business, Josh now manages the test department. Over recent years the company has had a major focus on improving the workspace for its employees, and Josh has played a pivotal role in ensuring ZF procure the right workstation and storage solutions for the calibration department.

(image: Josh Symons, Quality Assurance Engineer at ZF Services UK)

Josh said: “The old lab area was getting too small for use, moving to a new area means we can work on larger products more easily. Investing in new workstations and storage equipment has ensured we can carry this work out more effectively.”

One of the major focuses for Josh, when investing in new equipment, was ensuring the space was more ergonomic. He continued: “We are always looking for ways to improve and ensuring the new space was more ergonomic was important. Now staff don’t have to reach to high shelves or reach over workstations for equipment now that we have the correct amount of storage at working level.” The investment into various products from Hoffmann Group to improve the area included GARANT cabinets, workstations with drawer systems and racking.

As specialists in 5s solutions for industry, Hoffmann Group believes organisation is key to helping manufacturers be more productive. Ensuring that workstations and storage solutions are suitable for users in regard to ergonomics, arranging environments to suit the people that use them, is also important for increasing productivity.

Don Whitley Scientific Make Lean Look Easy with Hoffmann Storage Solutions

Hoffmann Group — 03/12/2024

Streamlining operations, reducing costs, improving quality and increasing efficiency is a priority for every manufacturing business. With the day-to-day workload making changes can seem like a distant dream. Don Whitley Scientific is a shining example of making lean look easy. Since partnering with the Hoffmann group, for the past 8 years DWS has taken efficiency to the next level by optimising their working environment with Hoffmann’s workstations, storage and tooling.

As a leading manufacturer and supplier of specialist equipment to the microbiology and tissue culture industries, DWS understands the importance of a lean working environment. Back in 2016, before discovering Hoffmann Group at the MACH show, their goal was to increase the throughput of products and improve the layout of their production department.

With the help of Hoffmann introducing the 5s methodology, tool carts with bespoke foam inlays were designed and workstations customised for the operator’s needs. This has increased their productivity by approximately 20%. Fergus Murray, Product Engineering Director at DWS, said: “We continue to work with Hoffmann Group because of the quality of their products and service they provide.”

What makes Hoffmann’s service stand out is their specialist approach to procurement for industry. The manufacturer and supplier of industrial products has over 1400 experts around globe, specialising in everything from PPE and cutting tools to measuring equipment, workstations and storage. Supporting UK manufacturing by simplifying procurement is Hoffmann Group’s goal – whilst they manufacture in Germany, they have a UK headquarters in Birmingham.

Due to the modular design of Hoffmann’s workstations and the high quality of their hand tools (by Garant) Don Whitley Scientific also noticed a cost saving on the number of hand tools purchased at one time. This is due to the durability of the tools themselves, and the foam inlay design that allows operators to easily notice what tools are missing. On top of that, as the company are producing high quality equipment mainly for clinical applications, Fergus mentioned that Hoffmann’s adaptable and sleek work benches “reflect the products, which is a visual bonus for the production department and perfect for when visitors stop by.

Whilst the latest product from Hoffmann have contributed to Don Whitley’s lean approach, their increase in productivity and organisation has also been a result of implementing monthly tool checks. Since standardising their tool cabinets, with the help of Hoffmann specialists, every operator is responsible for the own equipment – introducing accountability for tools. Fergus said: “As a result of issuing individual kits, team morale immediately went up because people had ownership.”

Improving their work environment over the past 8 years with Hoffmann has not been limited to their workstations and storage requirements either. With help of Paul Walker, Application Technician for Hoffmann, the company has also made some significant savings on their machining. After investing in Garant cutting tools, the company have decreased their machining cycle time from 7 minutes to 11 seconds. Fergus added: “Getting the right cutting tools in place has been a massive benefit to us, it has ensured we are getting the right performance from our machines. Hoffmann Group have supported us in improving every department in the business.”

Don Whitley continues to refine their work environment to optimise efficiency with the support of Hoffmann’s products and technical specialists. Their work departments are a prime example of how good organisation and accountability can increase productivity and build team morale. Their investments into prioritising how their workshops function and look confirm to visitors that they are dedicated, leading professionals in their field.

Find out more at https://www.hoffmann-group.com/

Hoffmann Group UK takes on new Key Account Manager

Hoffmann Group — 11/02/2020

Leading system partner for quality tools, workstations and personal protective equipment (PPE), Hoffmann Group UK, has boosted its business development division as part of a strategic UK rollout.

With over 20 years’ experience in the manufacturing industry, Peter Borrowdale joins the team as a national key account manager. Having held a variety of senior roles at businesses such as Cromwell Group, Replicade and Perspex Distribution, Mr Borrowdale brings with him a wealth of sector expertise in both manufacturing and key industry verticals such as aerospace.

In his new role, he will be responsible for retaining and developing Hoffmann Group’s international customer portfolio. This will involve working closely with both new customers and those that have longstanding relationships with the Hoffmann Group, as well as preparing business plans for tender opportunities and nurturing key customer relationships.

Longer term, Mr Borrowdale will also assist in developing an overarching customer acquisition plan in order to help grow the fledgling UK arm of the business.

As part of the Hoffmann Group’s heavy investment in the UK, Hoffmann Group UK was launched as a fully-owned subsidiary of the wider business earlier this year in Birmingham. The business is set to grow rapidly in the coming months, having also recently expanded its specialist teams across PPE, cutting tools and strategic product categories.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Borrowdale said: “Hoffmann Group is internationally known for being the partner of choice for manufacturing businesses across Europe and beyond, so I’m thrilled to be joining at such an exciting time.

“I’m particularly looking forward to building strong customer relationships in the UK and long-term my goal is to play a central role in the development of the UK arm of the business, helping us to cement our reputation as a quality partner for any business in our field that demands the best in products, services and supply.”

Tim Paddison, managing director at Hoffmann Group UK commented: “With his many years of experience across the manufacturing industry, Pete is a real asset to our growing team as we look to further establish ourselves in the UK.

“Pete and his team are a crucial part of the Hoffmann Group’s major UK investment plans and will be critical to working closely with our customers and ensuring we have the dedicated resource to support their needs as we continue to grow and expand across the coming months.”

Hoffmann Group UK
https://www.hoffmann-group.com/GB/en/houk/

Source: PES Magazine

Northants Precision Prioritise Investment to Produce Quality Components for F1

Hoffmann Group — 11/08/2025

Northants Precision is a family-owned CNC machining manufacturer who supply to the Formula 1 motorsport industry. To supply high quality turned parts, Managing Director Dan Green understands the importance of purchasing superior equipment that not only looks good but lasts for years. Garant workstations and storage from Hoffmann Group has supported the NP team for over 5 years and continue to do so after their move to a new, bigger facility.

1. Vinyl portrait of a Formula 1 car

2.'Made in UK' print at Northants Precision in Nortrhampton, UK

Investing in high quality equipment for your business can be difficult. It can sometimes be tough to know what equipment to prioritise, in terms of quality, and where you can get away with a non-premium version. When it comes to equipment that is used every day and all day, these items are vital when it comes to quality.

Workstations and storage from Hoffmann group offers manufacturers and business’ a like a high-quality product that can be adapted to suit individual needs. Whether clients are looking for a sturdy workstation that can be transported or one that can be height adjusted without comprising on weight capacity, Hoffmann group can support with the help of their workstation and storage specialists.

1. Garant Vario workbench used as a workarea for CNC machining

2. Inspection area kitted out with vario work benches at Northants Precision

After completing an apprenticeship in CNC machining 20 years ago and working for various other leading engineering firms Dan Green, Managing Director at Northants Precision, decided to set up his own workshop in 2019. Starting the business only months before the Covid-19 pandemic NP’s business predominantly focused on manufacturing components for ventilators built by Formula 1 teams.

Since then, Dan and the team at Northants Precision have gone from strength to strength. Earlier this year the company moved into a brand-new facility in Kislingbury, Northampton where they have a total of six machining stations. Much of their success has been owed to Dan’s social media presence, particularly on LinkedIn, where they gained attention and leads.

Birdseye view of the Northants Precision Workshop

Another change that has contributed to the company’s success is the implementation of 5s solutions - sort, set, shine, standardise, and sustain. This includes standard tool kits in foam from the help of Hoffmann Group. Dan said: “before having foam inlays in each work bench at a CNC machine, we all shared from one toolbox. With the help of Hoffmann Group, we have reduced walk and wait time on tools and are able to get our jobs completed faster than previously.”

Foam inlays have had a massive impact on helping the team organise their tooling and reduce unnecessary items in their drawers, Dan continued: “we decided to go for foam inlays because we only need 6 tools to complete a job, this has ensured that no one is looking for a tool in a drawer and the tools are better kept and organised”.

Bespoke foam inlays from Hoffmann Group to standardise tooling at each CNC machine at Northants Precsion

Whilst functionality is a priority for any business, Dan decided to use Garant Workstations and Storage from Hoffmann for its sleek and modern look and unmatched durability. Dan concluded: “working at previous engineering firms who have Garant products I have always appreciated the brand’s durability and quality in aesthetics. I bought my first workstation 6 years ago and it still looks brand new."

Garant Ready to go workbench

Discover the range of products at Hoffmann Group UK products by heading to https://www.hoffmann-group.com/

Find out more about Northants Precision by heading to

Northants Precision CNC Engineering - based in Northamptonshire

Hoffmann Group UK expands PPE division with key hire

Hoffmann Group — 28/02/2020

Hoffmann Group UK, Europe’s leading system partner for quality tools, workstations and personal protective equipment (PPE), has bolstered its PPE product division with a new appointment.

Hayley Johnson joins the UK team as a PPE Specialist. In the newly-created role, she will be responsible for the development and growth of Hoffmann Group UK’s PPE range to establish the company as the go-to provider in the UK. She will also oversee the training and development of the PPE sales team and provide marketing support to promote the range.

Hayley boasts 25 years of sales experience across the manufacturing and engineering industry, having previously worked for major UK PPE suppliers such as Bunzl Plc, SBA Ltd and Arco Ltd.

The appointment comes at a pivotal time for Hoffmann Group, after launching in the UK in August 2019. With the business having also recently expanded its PPE product catalogue, Hayley’s expertise will enable the business to further grow its PPE sales, establish relationships with new UK product suppliers and better service both new and existing clients.

Hayley said: “The business already has an extensive and well-respected client base, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to help grow PPE sales and establish Hoffmann Group UK as the one-stop supplier of choice for companies’ protective equipment needs.”

Tim Paddison, managing director at Hoffmann Group UK, said: “Hayley’s wealth of sales experience makes her the ideal fit for establishing our reputation as the leading provider of PPE in the UK. She has the market and product knowledge to ensure that we can provide the very best solutions and tailor them to best suit our customers’ needs.
“Hayley will support our rollout within the UK and will be critical to ensuring that our new and existing customers are kept up-to-date with the products that they need to ensure their workers can operate safely.”

For more information, please visit https://www.hoffmann-group.com/GB/en/houk/

Hoffmann Group UK Champions Midlands Manufacturing in Latest Partnership

Hoffmann Group — 20/06/2024

One of the UK’s leading Tooling and Equipment providers Hoffmann Group UK has joined Made in the Midlands to champion UK manufacturing. Passionate about industry, Hoffmann partners with UK businesses to help them become more competitive, productive and profitable. Managing Director Tim Paddison said: “At Hoffmann we recognise the importance of manufacturing to the UK economy.” The partnership reflects Hoffmann Group's commitment to the UK's manufacturing sector, aiming to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and simplify procurement for clients.

The Hoffmann Group UK has recently become a member of Made in the Midlands (MIM), a premier manufacturing and engineering membership organisation for businesses based in the UK. Reflecting on Hoffmann’s decision to join MIM, Tim continued: "We see MIM as a great platform not only to help potential clients but also to collaborate and share best practices with like-minded businesses." Joining MIM allows Hoffmann Group to leverage the digital platform for fostering collaboration and connecting with other businesses dedicated to manufacturing excellence.

Hoffmann Group, renowned for its high-quality tools, innovative solutions, and comprehensive services, brings over a century of expertise to the table. Their focus on delivering cutting-edge technology and exceptional service support aligns with the objectives of Made in the Midlands, enhancing the overall manufacturing landscape in the region.

This strategic partnership underscores Hoffmann Group's dedication to contributing to the growth and success of the UK's manufacturing sector, ensuring clients benefit from the latest advancements in productivity and efficiency.

For more information about Hoffmann Group UK and their offerings, visit their microsite:https://hoffman.madeinthemidlands.com/

Hoffmann Group UK aims to double in size with customer-centric reorganisation

Hoffmann Group — 06/07/2020

Birmingham-based Hoffmann Group UK, Europe's leading system partner for quality tools, workstations and personal protective equipment (PPE), has transformed its national strategy in order to better serve its customers.

To provide its customer base with a more bespoke, effective service, the business is bolstering the number of experts available to advise and consult with clients. Specifically, the business is increasing technical expertise, introducing dedicated support for large national accounts and additional specialised resource to support services such as inventory management, calibration and repairs.

The reorganisation also sees Peter Borrowdale, who joined the business last year, being appointed as National Sales Manager. Hoffmann Group UK is also actively recruiting for field and office-based roles, creating a number of additional jobs over the coming months, which will increase the UK headcount by around 10%.

As a result of the reorganisation, Hoffmann Group UK also has plans in place to double the size of the business by 2023, through more effectively delivering a broad range of services designed to help customers reduce costs and increase productivity. This will be achieved by increasing focus on key product offerings such as PPE, tool vending solutions and workshop tools, as well as increasing its product range and customer base.

As part of this pivot, the business also launched a remote consultation service to support manufacturers keeping the UK running during the COVID-19 epidemic, meaning that it is now able to provide specialist customer support remotely. With the aid of these technologies, manufacturers can bring an experienced consultant directly into their existing workspaces to make bespoke recommendations in areas such as material types and machining optimisation, reducing costs and driving greater levels of efficiency on the factory floor.

Tim Paddison, managing director at Hoffmann Group UK, commented: “We’re now approaching a year since we opened our new UK base in Birmingham and, despite unprecedented sector challenges, this reorganisation places us in a fantastic position to achieve our growth aspirations. Our goal now moves towards planning for the long-haul and further establishing the Hoffmann Group in the UK, with a greater focus on the needs of our customers across the nation.

“As we begin to emerge from what was among the most challenging periods for manufacturers in recent memory, the sector will require the services of a truly expert partner more than ever before, and that is what we’ve built this new business model around; ensuring our customers can access and make use of exactly what they need when they need it. We’re now in a fantastic place to push on and build for the future, helping our customers reduce costs and drive efficiencies to increase productivity.”

For more information, please visit https://www.hoffmann-group.com/GB/en/houk/

Case Study: Improving Tool Life and Swarf Control for Yorkshire Precision Engineering

Hoffmann Group — 10/04/2026

Yorkshire Precision Engineering, a subcontract machining company based in Keighley, West Yorkshire, employs around 30 people across two sites. With extensive experience in machining a wide range of materials, from brass and copper to demanding exotic alloys such as Inconel, the business is well known for its flexibility and technical capability. However, as customer demand increasingly involved difficult-to-machine materials, the company was looking for a more cost-effective solution to improve tool life and swarf control during turning operations.

The main challenge for Yorkshire Precision Engineering was finding a through-coolant turning tool solution that could deliver reliable performance when machining hard-to-chip materials. Efficient swarf evacuation was essential, not only to maintain productivity but also to reduce downtime caused by manual swarf removal. At the same time, the customer needed a solution that would suit the machine configuration of their new Citizen Myano BNE65 MYY lathe. Previous products from other manufacturers had either not fit the machine layout properly or were too expensive to be a viable option for production use.

The solution came in the form of the new Hoffmann Group HOLEX Pro Turning Tool Holders 250044 20/12. These tool holders offered the customer exactly what they needed: an affordable, practical, and machine-compatible through-coolant turning tool system designed with swarf management in mind. A key feature of the HOLEX Pro Turning Tool Holders is the coolant plumbing positioned underneath the front of the tool. This design proved especially beneficial for Yorkshire Precision Engineering, as it helped prevent swarf from becoming trapped around the tool area, improving chip flow and cutting stability.

The HOLEX Pro tooling also came with the required fittings and the option of braided coolant pipes, making installation straightforward and ensuring the customer could integrate the solution quickly into their existing setup. From the outset, the difference was noticeable. The improved coolant delivery and enhanced swarf control helped the customer machine exotic and difficult materials more effectively, while also contributing to longer tool life.

Since implementing the HOLEX Pro Turning Tool Holders, Yorkshire Precision Engineering has reported a tool life improvement of at least 25%, with some applications showing increases of up to 100%. In addition, the customer has experienced reduced downtime thanks to better swarf control, meaning less time spent stopping production to clear chips from tools and work areas.

For Yorkshire Precision Engineering, the new solution has delivered both technical and commercial benefits. The combination of improved performance, better machine compatibility, and competitive pricing has made the HOLEX Pro Turning Tool Holders a highly effective choice for their operation. By helping the customer increase productivity while reducing operating costs, Hoffmann Group has supported Yorkshire Precision Engineering in meeting the challenges of machining demanding materials with greater confidence and efficiency.

This tool holder is currently available in a promotion from Hoffmann Group directly here. For more information, be sure to check out the link.

Hoffmann Group UK will be at MACH 2026 on stand 6-139. For more information on how you can improve your processes, be sure to speak with their Application Technicians. Get expert advice from specialists with years of hands-on experience.

Betta-Cut works with Hoffmann to ‘keep the wheels turning’ for customer

Hoffmann Group — 12/05/2025

Tyre Technician Productivity enhanced with Betta-Cut and Hoffmann’s Lean Manufacturing Solutions

Betta-Cut’s customer in Hampshire, is a global leader in providing comprehensive supply chain solutions and managing transport logistics worldwide. Prior to working with Betta-Cut, the company’s tyre technicians faced challenges in delivering high-quality work. These issues were primarily due to the absence of a dedicated tool area, the use of a substandard torque wrenches, and a lack of accessible torque specifications.

Working closely with Betta-Cut’s engineering team, they have successfully implemented lean improvements in the area, including better tools and enhanced organisation, leading to significant increases in both wrench time and team morale. Betta-Cut collaborated with Hoffmann Group to ensure their customer had the right tools and an optimised shadow board system to improve efficiency.

Addressing Tooling and Organisation Challenges

Poor organisation within a work area can cause numerous issues that impact both product quality and service. For the tyre technicians, the disorganised tool area hindered the technicians' ability to complete tasks effectively.

In response to these issues, Betta-Cut and Hoffmann Group UK worked closely with the customer to provide the right tooling solutions including new torque wrenches, hand tools and PPE. With a lack of tool organisation being apparent, a dedicated shadow board was introduced, featuring foam inlays and designated tool placements, ensuring that every tool had its place.

The Result: Improved Efficiency and Team Morale

With the new shadow board and high-quality tools in place, they now experience improved wrench time, leading to greater equipment uptime and enhanced maintenance productivity. There has been a positive shift in team morale, with employees more focused and motivated. They have also introduced daily tool checks and continued to promote the philosophy of using the correct tool for each job.

Andy from Betta-Cut commented, “We’ve been partnered with Hoffmann Group for 15 years, and when working with our customers on lean manufacturing solutions, Hoffmann is always our go-to partner. Their product range, quality and support is exceptional”

About Betta-Cut Ltd

Betta-Cut Ltd is a well-established provider of quality tooling solutions for engineers. Over many years, they have earned a stellar reputation for delivering exceptional service in supplying tooling products and related equipment.

They are a trusted partner to some of the country’s leading engineering organisations, ranging from large OEMs and subcontractors to small engineering workshops.

Their focus is on delivering the highest quality engineering solutions to all their valued customers. With decades of experience in the engineering sector, they are able offer expert advice on technical matters and provide cost-effective solutions, all while ensuring the best possible lead times.

To learn more about how Betta-Cut can support your business, visit www.bettacut.co.uk

About Hoffmann Group

Hoffmann Group, a leading supplier and manufacturer of industrial equipment, partners with over 135,000 customers globally to simplify procurement and reduce costs. With its headquarters in Germany and 50 subsidiaries worldwide, including one in Birmingham, UK, Hoffmann Group offers expert advice and specialist services in PPE, cutting tools, measuring equipment, workstations, and storage. As a manufacturer, Hoffmann is dedicated to creating practical, industry-focused solutions for its customers.

To learn more about how Hoffmann can support your business, visit Workstations and Storage | Hoffmann Group.

Airbus flies with tooling solutions from Hoffmann Group UK

Hoffmann Group — 24/10/2024

Daily tasks carried out by Airbus, Chester, are crucial for the safety and reliability of their aircrafts. With the goal of producing the perfect aircraft wing in a timely manner in their FAL division, they must ensure their tooling is organised for optimal efficiency. To achieve this, they partnered with Hoffmann Group UK to create a solution to replace their old tool cabinets.

Craig Pritchard from Airbus said: “Hoffmann’s specialists have helped us save time in production. Our team can easily find where a tool goes due to the foam inlay designs.”

He continued: “The people working on each job now has everything they need in one place which has increased efficiency. As the cabinets are also lockable, we are seeing fewer missing tools too. We've recieved invaluable advice from the Hoffmann team on the tools for our new cabinets”

The functionality and quality of tooling cabinets are crucial for the success of every manufacturing and engineering facility, especially for aerospace firms like Airbus. Misplaced tooling could lead to longer lead times or even obsolete products and in aerospace – this could be fatal.

Craig noticed that Airbus’ existing tooling cabinets needed to be improved, their old solutions were damaged and not secure. When it came to improving the cabinets, he recognised that they would benefit from foam inlays for better tool management and perforated panels for extra storage. Craig was impressed with Hoffmann’s eForm configurator and product selection.

He said: “We realised that the things that could be better on our original cabinets were already incorporated on the Hoffmann ones. We tried them out and realised they were perfect for the job.”

As the cabinets are now tooled to specific jobs, this saves on walk and wait times as operators have everything they need in one place. Craig continued: “before, all the cabinets were generalised and operators had to work from various boxes to fulfil one role. With the help of the Hoffmann specialists, who responded quickly to our requirements, our team has become more productive”

Hoffmann Group UK is manufacturer and supplier of industrial equipment to more than 135,000 customers across the globe. Headquartered in Germany, the company has 50 subsidiaries across the globe including Birmingham, UK. The organisation offers its customers expert advice with specialist consultants in PPE, Cutting Tools, Measuring Equipment and Workstations & Storage. As a manufacturer, Hoffmann prides itself on creating solutions for industry with manufacturers in mind.

To find out how Hoffmann could help you, visit Workstations and storage | Hoffmann Group (hoffmann-group.com)

ABG Rubber & Plastics streamlines production with GARANT storage solutions

Hoffmann Group — 29/08/2024

ABG have revolutionised how they store and vend tools at their facility in Northampton. The investment into various GARANT tool cabinets and storage units from Hoffmann Group UK is helping the company to save time and reduce cost. Staff can find tools and equipment more easily and stock is now managed more efficiently minimising the risk of lost tools.

ABG Rubber and Plastics are a sub-contract CNC machinist of Plastic and Rubber components, providing services from CNC turning, milling and routing to fabrication and pressed parts. With an increasing production load and need to maintain their high quality standards, ABG needed a solution that helped them find tooling quickly and efficiently.

In November 2023, the company invested in multiple storage units including a Tool24 vending solution and an automated inventory management system, from Hoffmann Group– leading manufacturer of high-quality storage, tooling and PPE solutions. The GARANT tool cabinets with two depths, five widths and eight housing heights, offers the variety to store and organise any components used on a day-to-day basis – for ABG this was the perfect solution to streamline their production through organising their tooling.

Gavin Samwell, Machining Supervisor at ABG, found that time was being wasted looking for required tooling. He said: “We needed a system to enable us to interrogate our tooling stock and something that allowed us to ensure we had the required tooling for orders going forward. The system from Hoffmann has allowed us to be proactive rather than reactive in our production and therefore has saved us time and cost since having it installed.”

High precision manufacturing facilities like ABG often use various jigs, fixtures and tooling. Previously, the company used a manual storage system for these items – basic drawers and cupboards. This was causing major issues as tooling clashed and ended up being damaged. Gavin continued: “we knew that to solve this we needed a system where everything is logged and has its place. The storage solutions from Hoffmann have allowed us to streamline this process – staff can access what they need with their login key and the drawers automatically open to what they need.”

The latest storage and vending solutions are also helping Gavin in his role as Machining Supervisor. He has found that requests from customers are being answered more quickly as the Tool24 system even works offline. This means that employees can easily search what tool is available for the job, with or without internet access Gavin added: “It is helping the business overall save a lot of time. It’s been an eye opener for us because it works so well with what we do.”

Hoffmann Group is a manufacturer of premium industrial tooling and equipment – offering the UK manufacturing sector pioneering solutions from GARANT, HOLEX and other leading brands. With Specialists in PPE, Cutting Tools and Workstations & Storage, Hoffmann Group UK, based in Birmingham, can support industry with simplifying procurement and optimising efficiency for any production facility.

To find out more about GARANT Workstations and Storage from Hoffmann Group UK, contact Specialists on 07793242283.

3 things these leading manufacturers did to improve productivity

Hoffmann Group — 04/02/2025

In an ever-changing industry where technology thrives and tradition is timeless, workshops in manufacturing come in all different shapes and sizes. A facility that benefits from the ease and functionality of robot arms could be right next door to one that thrives on manual processes. However optimising productivity in line with lean manufacturing is not limited to one or the other. Hoffmann Group UK delve into the 3 things their manufacturing customers do or have done to improve productivity and become lean.

Lean manufacturing can be defined as maximising productivity and minimising waste within a manufacturing facility. The benefits of taking the time to work towards this principle can lead to reduced operating costs, decreased lead times, and improved product quality.

As a manufacturer, Hoffmann group understands the importance of reducing costs and improving service to meet demands and compete on a global scale. As a UK supplier, Hoffmann works alongside its customers to make UK manufacturing more successful by increasing productivity and simplifying procurement of industrial tooling and equipment. Here is 3 things Hoffmann’s customers did to improve their productivity

1. Standardising Tool Kits

We all know the age-old story of lost tools and precious productivity time due to searching for said tool. Hoffmann Group technical specialists work alongside manufacturers to design and create the perfect standardised kit for engineers and operators. From a choice of tool cars and cabinets to designing foam inlays for hand tools, standardising tool kits is a wonderful way to increase team morale through ownership and improve productivity through a decrease in walk and wait time.

Airbus Chester has seen an increase in productivity since standardising their kits. Previously, operators were working out of various boxes to fulfil one role. They said: “our cabinets were not lockable before – now that they are we are seeing fewer missing tools and those that are missing, are quickly identifiable due to the foam inlay designs. Hoffmann’s support and advice has been invaluable in improving our productivity and efficiency.”

2. Cutting Tool Management: Proactive over Reactive

Milling and drilling is at the heart of many manufacturing operations. The star of the show is always the quality and efficiency of cutting tools. As it has such a big part to play, storing cutting tools correctly can help manufacturers save time and money.

ABG Rubber and Plastics in Leicester were having trouble with lost and damaged tooling due how they were previously stored. The manual storage system of basic drawers and cupboards meant the tooling clashed and eventually became unusable. Implementing Hoffmann’s Tool 24 System has transformed how they buy and store their tooling – every tool is logged and has its place. The intuitive system also reports when stock is low with an option to automatically reorder as well. They said: “The system from Hoffmann has allowed us to be proactive rather than reactive, saving us time and money.”

3. Hand Tool Management: Quality over Quantity

With an array of overheads and pressure to cut costs to compete in a global market, it’s understandable why manufacturers look to buy the cheapest hand tools. However, overall, the case is often the lower the cost, the lower quality which means these tools need to be purchased more often.

Don Whitley Scientific have reported significant cost savings on several hand tools purchased at one time since using Hoffmann’s own brand Garant. The durability of the tools means that these hand tools are only being bought on occasion. Alongside foam inlays to reduce and rectify missing tools, Don Whitley Scientific say: “we have improved productivity and saved on cost. We continue to work with Hoffmann because of the quality of their products and the service they provide.”

Want to find out more about how Hoffmann can help you become a lean manufacturer? Contact us now:

sales-uk@hoffmann-group.com

Phone: 0121 716 4301