It has been an interesting and challenging year for all and at TF Automation, we are no exception. We remained fully open during lockdown to support our varied customer base working in critical industries, both with bespoke machine build projects and the supply of pneumatics and industrial components.

Our testing and manual workstation projects have continued at a pace this year, supporting our Tier 2 supplier to the automotive industry. We have also engineered machines for clients in the textile, aerospace, motor sport and industrial sectors, with laser marking, pick-and-place, product testing, hot air welding and plasma treatment machines.

Plasma treatment is new technology for TF Automation and we were commissioned by Kostal, with whom we have a very long-standing partnership, to design and build two plasma treat machines to address the increase in demand for cleaning new automotive switch products.

The company has also made some significant investment this year taking delivery of a new 3- Axis CNC Milling Machine to add additional capacity to production and enable the 3-dimensional machining increasingly required by its customer base. The new machine ensures that our machining capabilities are more innovative, versatile and flexible, enabling us to support customers with their on-going requirements.

TF Automation plays a vital role in supporting its local student community in Bradford and took part in Bradford Manufacturing Weeks again this year. This innovative initiative was set up  by the Chamber of Commerce to engage local schools with local manufacturers to showcase both manufacturing and engineering as valid careers. We are also working closely with The University of Bradford supporting MSc Marketing Communication students for the second year with a live project to create a marketing campaign.

We were delighted to receive the “Highly Commended” Award for Outstanding Business Contribution in the Careers and Technical Education (CTE) Partnership Awards 2020, having been nominated by Hanson School, Bradford. CTE is a pioneering way in which young people can gain skills and experiences planned around the requirements of local employers.

The need to improve process and productivity is a constant challenge for all our customers and our focus is on providing solutions to reduce the risk of human error in tasks that are constant, predictable and repetitive.