Dynamic Load Monitoring (UK) (DLM) has expanded its operations at Vancouver Wharf in Southampton, increasing its workforce to meet the rising demand for load pins.
The company has enhanced its machine shop with the addition of a Doosan Puma 3100LY CNC lathe, which is expected to boost production capacity.
This new equipment complements an existing lathe, mill, band saw, and other CNC machinery shared with a sister company.
DLM now employs three machinists, with two dedicated to operating the lathes and one focusing on the mill, under the supervision of a technical manager and technical director.
For over a decade, DLM has been supplying load cells and monitoring equipment to sectors such as lifting, rigging, and renewable energy. Previously, the company outsourced the machining of load cell billets from 17-4PH stainless steel based on in-house designs. DLM then handled the strain gauging, assembly, proof load testing, and calibration.
DLM managing director Martin Halford said: “A lot has happened in the year since we moved into the new [machine] shop. We had planned future expansion to gain more capacity and to be able to increase the size of the load pins we can manufacture, but the opportunity came up to purchase this machine ahead of time.
“We have seen an upturn in the number of custom load pins we have been manufacturing, and expanded CNC capacity will empower us even further.”
The new lathe allows DLM to machine larger custom-designed load pins, accommodating specific client requirements in both length and diameter. The Y-axis feature of the lathe enables more detailed machining, effectively doubling the company’s machining capacity.
Halford added: “While our [load] pin orders come from a myriad of sectors, we are seeing an ongoing uptick in demand from offshore industries. Speed is critical when dealing with the offshore market, as increased time often means huge increases in costs when a ship is not able to operate.
“Larger capacity gives us more scope to better handle bigger batches in-house and gives us full control over our supply chain as we approach the point where we are a fully vertically integrated operation.”
The expansion coincides with DLM’s recent accreditation by the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register (JOSCAR), allowing it to participate in aerospace, defence, and security contracts, including those managed by the UK Ministry of Defence.
DLM is also a member of Make UK Defence, which supports the UK’s defence and security manufacturing sector. DLM’s Halford has also announced plans to invest in enhancing testing capabilities at the company’s calibration workshop.
