Alcoa

Source: Manufacturing Digital

Date :18/02/2008 16:55:12

With experience dating back to 1985, Alcoa Fastening Systems is a company with a focus on high quality solutions. Exec finds out about the UK operation’s plans for the coming year

Written by Lucy Mowatt and produced by Alex Smith

Founded in 1985 as Huck International, Telford-based Alcoa Fastening Systems is building upon its reputation for customer satisfaction and quality. Acquired in 2000 the company has benefited from increased investments and the support of the large Alcoa group, which has its headquarters in Waco, Texas.

Alcoa Fastening Systems is a company that spans the globe, with facilities not only in the UK, but the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and Singapore. With the support of these companies, AFS in the UK is able to provide its customers with a range of fastening solutions across a number of industry sectors.

Serving a range of markets, Alcoa Fastening System’s facility in the UK is capable of manufacturing fasteners and installation tools. Producing systems that can be used in the aerospace, automotive and transportation industries, all AFS products have to meet high standards to ensure that they do not become a hazard in future. The Huck brand fasteners that the Telford site manufactures are high strength and virtually maintenance free, owing to the fact that they are vibration resistant.

Product development

Since the Huck Fastener was initially launched in the 1950s, it has developed significantly. These products are now branded as HuckBolts and are available in a range of diameters, alongside Huck Lockbolts, medium and heavy duty rivets and appropriate tooling. The AFS website says, “High strength Huck fasteners are used wherever failure is not an option,” which emphasises the company’s focus. Not only that, but these fasteners will also noticeably improve the speed of product assembly.

The site in the West Midlands also focuses its attention on the development of new systems, such as the HK432CS, which has been developed in order to monitor fasteners and detect where they might not be as secure as they should be. This will offer advantages to customers in terms of minimising risk as well as reducing both expensive downtime.

In order to make the most of their facilities and extend its manufacturing capabilities, in 2006 AFS invested in a single heading machine, stainless steel manufacturing cell, which can produce fastener sleeves and pins at a faster rate than previous equipment. This has increased output by 400,000 components per month.

AFS has also attained a number of quality assurance certificates. Not only does AFS hold the ISO 9002 standard for manufacturing, reflecting the company’s quality systems, but it has also attained QS9000. This certificate recognises Alcoa’s commitment to continuous improvement and defect reduction. Its operations in the automotive sector have also attained the ISO/TS 16949 qualification, which reassures customers that quality is a constant focus for the company and something which AFS hopes to maintain.

Export expertise

Many industries have recognised Alcoa’s commitment to providing only the very best. The company has a large number of customers around the world and in July 2007 it was presented with the Exporter of the Year award from the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Shropshire Star newspaper. The award, sponsored by UK Trade and Investment, was judged according to criteria including marketing, the tailoring of goods to each market and overcoming any potential barriers to business such as cultural or language differences.

When the company was first taken over by Alcoa, its export sales only accounted for 25 percent of its business. Now the figure has shot up to hit 80 percent, with customers in Europe, South East Asia and India. The company employs four multilingual members of staff in its customer service department, which helps to ensure that all customer needs are addressed appropriately so that they get the best out of their relationship with AFS.

Over 100 people are employed by AFS in total, and this figure is growing with increased export markets; the company is as committed to ensuring that its employees are as satisfied as its customers. Training and apprenticeship programs have been used by the company in the past and help to ensure that motivation remains high. They have achieved the Investors in People Award and personnel surveys are carried out as a means to identify how they can improve working conditions.

In 2006 £50,000 was invested in training and development for AFS staff, which involved the set up of a Business Systems unit focused on continuous improvement. All employees are also trained to a minimum of NVQ Level 2 and are encouraged to make the most of their abilities.

Community support

Alcoa’s facilities are some of the most environmentally friendly in the West Midlands, and as such it holds the ISO 14001 certificate for keeping its impact to a minimum. The Alcoa groups has a strong environmental policy which focuses on sustainability and biodiversity, and all of its are expected to follow these guidelines.

As part of the Alcoa Foundation, AFS has also invested in the development of the local area and has given support to local organisations. Local schools have been a boost; between 2000 and 2006 £65,000 was given to boost school funding. Employees of Alcoa are also encouraged to do volunteer work, which it will make allowances for and help with where possible.

With constant developments in manufacturing capabilities, people and innovation, AFS is a company that is set to achieve another successful 50 years in business, providing fastening solutions to a wide range of industries.

Click here to read the corporate brochure on Alcoa