The state-of-the-art suite of machining and milling equipment will give DLM full control of its manufacturing processes, reducing lead times.
DLM often partners with Vulcan, but demand has long since outstripped the capacity of the latter, while DLM had no machining capability of its own.
Martin Halford, managing director at DLM, said: “This is most probably the largest single investment ever made by DLM and marks a real step forward for us in being able to control the complete manufacture of our products.
“It is something that we have wanted to do and have planned for a long time, but the opportunity came up when we least expected it to [lease] new premises. With… the winning of some large contracts, the increased capacity and space will aid our growth even further and allow us to push on quicker with our plans.”
The machine shop, which will feature two Doosan Puma lathes, a Haas lathe, and a Haas mill, will be supported by a dedicated team of five professionals, including a workshop manager jointly appointed by DLM and Vulcan. They will take orders from quotation, through machining, gauging, documentation, shipment, and every stage in between.
Halford said the investment goes beyond machining load pins, DLM’s flagship product, with tensile link billets and running line monitors (RLMs) also central to the newly expanded operation. The mill will machine the standard range of tensile links and both the company’s 60t and 200t capacity RLMs.
Halford said: “All our load pins are typically custom-designed to meet clients’ specific physical sizes, so although we state we have some standard [load pins] on our website, they are only standard in their electrical operation and sealing method/environmental protection – not necessarily their physical size or appearance. Our pins are used for various applications across numerous industries, including oil and gas, lifting, rigging, and subsea.”
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