New appointments at Arc Machines, Inc. to drive UK sales

Citation

(2011), "New appointments at Arc Machines, Inc. to drive UK sales", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 23 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ssmt.2011.21923daa.016

New appointments at Arc Machines, Inc. to drive UK sales

Article Type: Appointments From: Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Volume 23, Issue 4

With two new senior appointments, world leader in automated orbital welding Arc Machines, Inc. (AMI) is further strengthening the service it provides clients in the UK and Ireland and reinforcing its recent move to a purpose-built facility in Daventry, as part of a determined strategy for growth.

New Regional Director Michael Allman was brought on board earlier this year to build on AMI’s market-leading offer to existing customers and develop new opportunities in key growth areas, while Sean Blandford has, more recently, been appointed as General Sales Manager to lead sales activities for the UK market from the new site.

Mr Allman’s engineering background, including 12 years with BP and commercial experience as a company director with both UK and European businesses, brings a strong focus on appealing proactively to existing and potential customers.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Allman said: “AMI has been setting the standards for automated orbital welding for the past 30 years. We have the best products in the business, with a service, training and maintenance structure to match, but now is not the time to sit on our laurels. We plan to go out to our existing customers and remind them how good our products and support are and to shout loudly to attract new business.”

Although AMI is the biggest supplier/manufacturer of orbital welding equipment in the world, it has always maintained a strong identity in the UK and encourages regional directors to develop working practices appropriate to the local business culture. The company has historically dealt through intermediaries, but Mr Allman believes that it is the end-user who should be able to specify the best equipment for the job.

One of Mr Allman’s first decisions was to consolidate all UK sales activity, including customer support, operator training, equipment maintenance and repair and spares supply, in a single, purpose built facility.

Both new appointees will be based in the new 7,000 ft² site which will be the only one of its kind in the UK to accommodate the full AMI product range along with a state-of-the-art demonstration area, full maintenance and service support, a comprehensive spare parts inventory plus a dedicated operator training facility to meet both current and future market needs.

Mr Blandford, who also has significant international experience and has recently completed an MBA with the Henley Business School, sees great opportunity for AMI in new UK markets. AMI has been setting the standards for automated orbital welding technology since it was first established in 1976. The company now has the largest product range on the market and a reputation for the highest manufacturing standards, technical strength, customer service and quality of materials that has made it the first choice in industries ranging from oil and gas, petrochemicals, nuclear and power generation to food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and semi-conductors.