First Ficep Valiant supports investment plans at John Chorley

The first Ficep Valiant machine to be sold in the UK was taken by 160 year-old steel processing business John Chorley, taking the total number of Ficep machines in the business to five, and continuing a path of continual investment which has helped the business weather the ups and downs of the steel industry.

The business processes 100 tonnes of steel every day through their modern service centre - a success which has been supported by a Ficep Gemini, Ficep Tipo, and two Ficep cut and drill lines. The extensive suite of machinery means the company now provides plasma cutting, drilling, sawing and scribing functions at the Warrington-based facility.

Focusing on progression during tough times

Terry Shanahan, MD, has been with John Chorley for three decades and has steered the company from a relatively small turnover to establishing it as one of the primary steel processing businesses in the UK. Terry believes that success is down to one key decision he made regarding investment:

“During the recession years I made the decision to invest, this meant the need to travel, to visit businesses who specialized in all aspects of steel processing, I needed to seek out the knowledge that would allow me to make the correct investment decisions for the business in the future. Seeing the large automated sites during my visits overseas was a window to the future for steel processing and how a steel business could evolve and become an important partner to their client base.”

Through investment in equipment such as Ficep’s steel processing machines - including the new Valiant -  Terry ensured John Chorley would retain and increase its processing capability at a time when stockholders faced serious challenges.

Stand out machinery from Ficep

The Valiant purchased by Terry is coupled with a 1100 wide saw for additional processing capabilities of notching / slotted holes and service holes - and continues a purchasing trend which has contributed to John Chorley’s success.

Terry said:

“The installation of our new Ficep Valiant compliments our two existing Ficep Drill lines,

Plasma line, and shear and punch lines together with our on site shot blast and paint line. Our drilling capacity has increased significantly and the additional processes offered by the Valiant are proving very popular with clients old and new. Every time I consider a capex purchase, I consider what impact this machine will have to our business and how we can, as a business embrace, new technology learn and grow as business people.”

The importance of strong relationships with manufacturers

The adoption of five Ficep machines over 15 years is in no small part due to the strength of the working relationship that Terry has built up with Ficep UK sales manager, Chris Berriman:

“Chris has given a lot of advice over the years, he’s always updated me on what’s available machinery-wise and what would be right for us based on our shop space and business size. He understands that whatever we purchase needs to have a direct link to improving our offering to clients.”

Chris added:

“It is always a pleasure to work with companies with drive and ambition, when I first made contact with Terry we both showed the same passion for technology, it was important to show John Chorley where the machines are manufactured and some user sites so the trip to Ficep Spa in Italy was the start of the long partnership. Over the last 15 years we have had a very good relationship together not only on the machine investment but with after sales support and user visits.”