TPi January 2010

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16 Tube Products International January 2010
Sertec Group Holdings Ltd has
completed the restructuring of its latest
acquisition, MRX Automotive, and has
renamed the company Sertec Tube and
Cylinder Ltd (STC). The new company
launched on 1 October 2009.
MRX Automotive was part of the
Metalrax Group until December 2008
when, as part of the group’s strategy
of exiting the high volume, low margin
automotive sector, the company was
sold to automotive manufacturing expert
Sertec.
Exhaustive restructuring complete
STC manufactures manipulated tube
and assemblies and deep drawn
cylinders, from mild and stainless steel.
This is demonstrated in the production
of exhaust tailpipes and bright trim,
brake and suspension actuators and
air bag propellant canisters – just some
of the many parts supplied to the
automotive sector.
The Sertec group has supplied
presswork and welded assemblies
to the automotive industry for 47
years and whilst difficult recent times
have presented new challenges, the
company’s strong management and
the support of bankers Lloyds TSB
have allowed it to continue to seize
such opportunities to diversify into new
manufacturing processes and markets.
STC general manager Tony Hill
commented on the restructure: “Working
under the new ownership of the Sertec
Group has given us fresh impetus and
has opened up new channels to supply
through. We are a leaner operation
now and the experienced management
team at Sertec has prepared us well for
driving the business forward.”
The factory is based in Smethwick in the
West Midlands, UK, and the reorganisa-
tion has seen three sites consolidated
into one, the streamlining of the
workforce through redundancy and a
complete review of the shop floor.
Sertec Tube and Cylinder customers
currently include exhaust manufacturer
Tenneco Walker, Jaguar Land Rover and
commercial trailer manufacturer Arvin
Meritor.
STC – UK
Swagelok Company has appointed
David Hester as general manager for
Swagelok Ltd, its operation on the
Isle of Man. In this role, Mr Hester is
responsible for daily operations and
continuous improvement of the facility.
The manufacturing operations at
Swagelok Ltd help to complete the
company’s piping and regulator
product offering for the oil, gas and
petrochemical industries. From the Isle
of Man, Swagelok also serves local niche
markets that require quick turn-around
on high added value and specialised
products.
Mr Hester joined Swagelok Ltd as
engineering manager in 2006 and
A Jaguar XKR exhaust with
tailpipes manufactured by STC
has been instrumental in aligning
and managing quality and process
improvement initiatives.
In the last three years he has also
played a critical role in developing the
facility’s current manufacturing model
while supporting key customer activity.
Prior to joining Swagelok, Mr Hester
held engineering leadership positions at
a number of companies, including Mars
Electronics, Rolls-Royce Aerospace,
and Strix Ltd. He is a chartered
engineer and member of the Institution
of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE),
and holds a bachelor’s degree with
honours in mechanical engineering from
University of Portsmouth, UK.
Swagelok Company – USA
Swagelok appoints new general manager to
provide a boost for its Isle of Man facility
David Hester