CBE

Chesterfield manufacturer installs new robotic manufacturing plating plant

Engineering supply chain solution provider CBE+ has built the first 6+1 robotic Electroless Nickel Plating (ENP) line in the UK and Europe at its 70,000ft² state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

This new manufacturing capability will allow the company to undertake a range of innovative projects at its Chesterfield base, including the processing of small, precision-engineered components in high volumes and the ability to deliver high-quality parts at a consistently high standard.

The automated line from Sidasa Engineering will also facilitate a highly repeatable surface treatment process, reducing the time taken to complete and send large orders to customers and significantly increasing CBE+’s Electroless Nickel production capacity, utilising a FANUC robot system.

Chief executive officer, Marie Cooper, says: “This is a significant investment for CBE+ and one that will bring many benefits to the business and our customers. The new plating line reduces the scope for human error by automating dosing control and deposition monitoring and measuring. This results in a consistently high-quality finish on the products we process. Automating these tasks means we can redeploy skilled employees to projects that require higher levels of expertise.”

This is the latest of significant investment in the business. A sum of £4m has been invested over the last few years including a new Wire EDM line in 2021 and merger with Nitec UK at the back end of 2022. The firm has double its turnover during this period, with future growth to £10m forecasted over the next few years.

This investment contributes to CBE+’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. The new nickel-plating line will be linked with the newly commissioned effluent water treatment plant and combined heat and power (CHP) system. The CHP system captures heat generated as a by-product of electrical power generation which is then used to provide heat energy for the surface treatment processes. The effluent plant filters and neutralises all waste chemistry on-site and allows for environmentally safe disposal and recycling.

The new line is currently being tested with plans to be fully operational this June.

The company recently opened its doors to the public, hosting an open day on the 26th April. More than 60 people from the manufacturing and engineering sectors attended the event which featured a tour of the entire facility including the new plating line.

CBE+ supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield’s CBE+ invests £2m in Europe’s first robotic automated Electroless Nickel Plating line

Engineering supply chain provider CBE+ is installing the first 6+1 robotic Electroless Nickel Plating (ENP) line in the UK and Europe at its 70,000sq ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

Representing a £2 million investment, the automated plating line will allow the company to undertake a range of innovative projects at its Chesterfield base, including the processing of small, precision-engineered components in high volumes and the ability to deliver high-quality parts at a consistently high standard.

The automated line from Sidasa Engineering will also facilitate a highly repeatable surface treatment process, reducing the time taken to complete and send large orders to customers and significantly increasing CBE+’s Electroless Nickel production capacity.

Chief Executive Officer, Marie Cooper, said, “This is a significant investment for CBE+ and one that will bring many benefits to the business and our customers. The new plating line reduces the scope for human error by automating dosing control and deposition monitoring and measuring. This results in a consistently high-quality finish on the products we process.

“Automating these tasks means we can redeploy skilled employees to projects that require higher levels of expertise. As well as freeing up time from the plating line, we are also automating parts of the jigging process in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). This will enable the team to use their skills and expertise on projects that will interest and challenge them, as well as helping to drive the business forward.”

This investment continues CBE+’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, the new nickel-plating line will be linked with the newly commissioned effluent water treatment plant and combined heat and power (CHP) system. The CHP system captures heat generated as a by-product of electrical power generation which is then used to provide heat energy for the surface treatment processes. The effluent plant filters and neutralises all waste chemistry on-site and allows for environmentally safe disposal and recycling.

Mark Lawson, Managing Director said, “The Effluent and CHP investments are both critical steps made to Ensure CBE+ are reducing our Environmental footprint.”

The new ENP line will be delivered in December. The line will be commissioned from February and fully operational in March 2023.

CBE+ supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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CBE+ completes multi-million pound investment in Chesterfield manufacturing facility

Engineering supply chain solution provider CBE+ has completed the relocation of its five divisions together under one roof in a 100,000 sq ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chesterfield.

The company, which employs 80 people, has been operating its services from two separate sites since 2017 when business owners Marie Cooper and Chris Brown acquired the 5 legacy businesses which make up CBE+ today.

CBE+ ENP – formerly Nitec UK – is the final company division to move its operations to the CBE+ headquarters, the former BG Engineering base in Chesterfield.

Five plating lines, blasting and heat treatment capabilities have now been installed on site, the £4m project is a major milestone for the business, solidifying its vision of “multiple capabilities under one roof“ and embarking on its journey to NET ZERO.

A major part of the investment included the installation of a combined heat and power system which captures the heat generated as a by-product of the electrical power generation and is used to provide heat energy for the surface treatment processes carried out in areas of the factory.  The CHP installation, along with a number of other energy saving initiatives, coupled with the benefits of operating from a single location, means CBE+ has managed to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 50%.  In addition, a new effluent plant has been installed which filters and neutralises all waste chemistry generated on site used allowing environmentally safe disposal and recycling.

CEO Marie Cooper says: “Chesterfield has proved to be a fantastic home for our business, and our latest milestone is something we are proud of, along with our plans to continue this growth journey, supporting our customers and the local economy. It was fantastic to welcome over 40 people to look around our facility, and show how we support our customers.”

CBE+ technical director, Chris Brown, commented: “The goal has always been to have all our services under one roof, not only does this create one cohesive team, but it also makes it easier for our customers to access multiple services. Moving five engineering businesses onto a single site has been a five-year project, with a lot of people working together to make it happen, and I can’t thank the team enough for their hard work.

“Relocating our ENP division is the final piece in the jigsaw that will allow us to deliver capabilities beyond engineering from a single location, providing our customers with streamlined, stress-free supply chains. And the addition of the new combined heat and power and effluent systems is an exciting step on our journey to becoming a greener business, by significantly reducing the amount of waste and energy used on site.”

CBE+ was formed from the acquisition of BG Engineering in 2017 by Marie Cooper and Chris Brown. This acquisition was shortly followed by electroless nickel plating business Nitec UK Ltd and Spire Laboratories in 2017, then Pentag Gears and Oilfield Equipment in 2018. The Wire EDM facility was acquired in 2021.

Following a full business integration, the group rebranded as CBE+ in 2019, providing multidisciplinary engineering services to manufacturers in niche markets including aerospace, defence, automotive, oil and gas. The company provides electroless nickel plating (ENP), precision engineering, gear cutting and laboratory testing, wire EDM, assembly, surface treatment and pressure testing independently, but its real strength lies in the ability to combine multiple services, providing tailored solutions for customers and streamlining their supply chains.

Last week, the company opened its doors to customers, suppliers, and manufacturing businesses from the Made In network for breakfast, company presentations and a factory tour, followed by a walk-in session later in the day to showcase the CBE+ design and engineering capabilities.

CBE+ has opened its doors on numerous occasions to young people across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire in support of Made In Chesterfield, a campaign inspiring the next generation to sectors such as manufacturing and construction.

Check out our recent blog on National Manufacturing Day 2o22, which celebrated some of the great activity taking place across the sector in Chesterfield: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2022/07/chesterfield-celebrates-national-manufacturing-day-2022/

To find out more about the benefits of locating your business in Chesterfield, including great connectivity to the M1 motorway, rail network and nearby cities, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

CBE+ supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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CBE+ shortlisted for manufacturer of the year by Made in Yorkshire

Chesterfield-based company CBE+ has been shortlisted for Made in Yorkshire’s Manufacturer of the Year Award (under £25 million).

These prestigious manufacturing awards, hosted by Insider Events, celebrate world-class, Yorkshire-based companies as well as the products they make.

CBE+, a multi-discipline engineering company, brought together four disparate businesses, Nitec UK Ltd, BG Engineering ltd, Spire Laboratories and Pentag Gears and lifting equipment, and have achieved major success since becoming a single entity just two years ago.

Three out of the four businesses have relocated to a single site on Enterprise Drive, Homewood, while the fourth business will be rebuilt at the same site later in 2021.

CBE+ was launched in July 2019, uniting the group under a single brand.

The business has achieved AS9100 certification, which is the highly recognised quality mark for suppliers to the aerospace industry.

As a result of these achievements, global high-tech aerospace company Leonardo Helicopters is sponsoring and supporting CBE+ in the process of obtaining their SC21 aerospace supply chain accreditation.

Lindsay Atkins, Group Operations Director, commented on the company’s achievements to date, particularly during the pandemic:

‘We managed to withstand the storm and participated in the Ventilator Challenge, manufacturing many tens of thousands of ventilator parts for the NHS. All alongside implementing a new ERP system throughout the group, improving efficiencies, and driving the business forward.’

The awards evening takes place on Thursday 29th July 2021 and offers businesses the opportunity to boost their profile, network with their peers and gain valuable insight into how other organisations in the region are winning new orders and addressing challenges unique to their industry.

Marie Cooper, CEO, said: “Being shortlisted is an honour in itself and shows that what we are doing is being recognised. A great big thank you to everyone who has supported and been involved in our journey so far. The awards evening itself will be a great opportunity to share best practice and learn from industry leaders. Celebrating our moto ‘Together we do more.”

CBE+’s capabilities include but are not limited to precision engineering, electroless nickel plating, gear manufacture and metal testing. Each service can be provided independently, or our customers work with us to combine the group’s multiple capabilities and create tailored, integrated supply chain solutions.

CBE+ supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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