Leading building products manufacturer Steadmans has invested £500,000 in a state-of-the-art slitting line at its headquarters in Warnell, Carlisle.

The new line, for cutting narrow coils from main coils, is the only one of its kind in the UK. The machine has a wider range of capabilities than Steadmans' previous equipment, including the ability to split pre-painted coil both width and length wise, as well as re-coil sheets. The new machine can also make flat sheets and split and rewind heavier metals, such as zinc.

Nigel Forsyth, manufacturing director, Steadmans, said: "The slitting line has already made a big impact on our productivity. As the machine is computer controlled, it delivers a lot more accuracy and, as well as other benefits, it gives us the flexibility to run different types of material.

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"A modern, electronic machine, the slitting line also has more safety features than its predecessor and creates an easier working environment for our operators."

The new line's installation follows other significant capital investment by Steadmans at Warnell, including replacing its AS30 single skin panel rolling line with a new £400,000 system with greater levels of automation. Prior to this, the AS35 composite cladding panel line was updated, with an investment of £750,000, to improve the profile and foam formulation.

Mr Forsyth said: "Our continuous investment in machinery helps to ensure that we run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. It also means our customers can rest assured that we manufacture the highest quality output, on equipment which is unsurpassed in the industry."

Steadmans is the leading UK manufacturer of building materials for the agricultural and steel building sectors, specialising in galvanised roofing sections, composite wall and roof sheets, metal cladding, roofing products and fibre cement sheeting.

In addition to its headquarters site, the company has facilities in: Uddingston, near Glasgow; Fyvie, Aberdeenshire; and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Steadmans employs 150 people overall and benefits from being part of the SIG UK group.

For further information on Steadmans' full range of products call Steadmans' Belfast sales team on 02840 660516, email: [email protected] or visit www.steadmans.co.uk