Product category:
Precision Motors and Gears
News Release from: EMS
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 01 September 2005
EMS celebrates 20th birthday
Twenty years ago today a new company began trading in the small drives market.
1st September 1985 saw a new company start trading in the small drives market named Electro Mechanical Systems - EMS for short The concept was to provide electromechanical systems and not just components to the UK small drives market
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 31 Jan 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The range of products to be sold would be limited to a maximum power of about 250W.
The foundation of the company owes much to the support of Minimotor of Switzerland, which appointed EMS as its sole UK agent to sell its range of precision ironless DC motors, gearheads and encoders.
After a few months EMS was able to win the UK sole agency for Magnetic Elektromotoren to sell its range of linear actuators and lifting columns.
Over the next 5 years EMS attracted other European manufacturers, and built up a broad portfolio of small drives.
However, the system side of the plan was not happening, and competing in what was essentially a small components market saw margins begin to erode.
To answer the systems question and counter the margin challenge it was decided to set up a UK manufacturing base for systems and special mechanisms production.
Rather than starting from scratch EMS bought HL Instruments (HLI) which manufactured remote hand tooling for the handling and processing of nuclear and other hazardous materials.
HLI had the basic machinery and skills to produce the sort of products EMS had in mind, but also had an income stream to ensure it did not become a drain on resources in the early years.
From one unit at purchase, this operation has now grown to seven units, manufacturing custom design mechanisms for industries as diverse as stairlifts to medical devices.
Entering its 21st year, EMS still represents Minimotor, but also represents most of the products from the rest of what has come to be called the Faulhaber Group.
Magnetic was bought-out by SKF, but EMS remains a specialised distributor for its products.
Other key companies represented by EMS include Japan Servo, Valeo SWF, Kaehlig and Magnetic Autocontrol.
Some 45 people now work for EMS, and drive an annual turnover of just short of GBP 10 million. Request free introductory details about products from EMS ...
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