TPT November 2011

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14 November 2011 ›
Industry News
New appointments to drive UK sales
WITH two new senior appointments,
automated orbital welding specialist Arc
Machines Inc (AMI) is 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
its growth strategy.
New regional director Michael Allman
was brought on board earlier this year to
build on AMI’s 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.”
AMI 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.
“AMI has been operating for 30 years, and
is a first-choice welding equipment supplier
for many contractors. But nowadays there
is tighter control on quality and cost from
end-users. We need to demonstrate the
advantages of AMI products directly to them
so that they can ensure the best equipment
is specified.”
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 7,000ft2 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, commented, “Arc has a
long standing reputation for reliable, high-
quality products and I plan to remind all
our customers of the value that can bring
to their operations. Other industries that
could benefit significantly from automated
welding systems just do not include them
as an integral part of their engineering
culture and we are determined to break
that mould.”
Arc Machines UK Ltd – UK
Fax: +44 1327 315034
Email:
Website: