X-KNOT MACHINE NUMBER TWO FOR ARCELORMITTAL
Sheffield based fencing manufacturer, ArcelorMittal, are powering ahead with the installation of their latest investment; a second x-knot fencing machine!
Following the successful launch of their x-knot EstateWIRE FX product range in 2022, the company wasted no time in making plans for machine number two. CEO, Tony Hinchliffe, commented “it was evident right from product launch that the installed capacity of our first x-knot machine was not going to be enough. We filled the machine without any real effort and have had to restrict sales by focusing on a reduced product range”.
The addition of x-knot into the EstateWIRE product range had been a long time coming for ArcelorMittal Sheffield as Tony explained, “we have known for many years that x-knot fencing products were becoming more and more popular in the UK and Ireland but until 2020, we were not in a position to be able to install any new machinery due to a lack of space. In 2020, we acquired our site number two which gave us the much needed extra operational space we desperately required, and allowed us to order our first x-knot machine”.
Machinery lead times, and COVID lock downs and disruption, meant x-knot machine one was not fully operational until 2022 by which time, ArcelorMittal Sheffield had acquired a third site. “The addition of our third site really helped us to move our business forward and allowed us to change the way we operate. Having more space meant we could plan the movement of materials better (raw material stocks, finished goods stocks) and improve our efficiencies, but it also gave us space for a second x-knot machine to be ordered” Tony commented.
The investment in their second x-knot machine will allow ArcelorMittal to expand both their product range and customer base for their Estate®WIRE FX products which should come as welcome news for the market.
“Our EstateWIRE FX range is made with the same 2Life wire as our hinge joint EstateWIRE range, and comes with our 20 year guarantee”. Using 2Life® wire which is galvanised with a mixture of zinc and aluminium, provides significantly improved corrosion resistance over products that are heavily galvanised with zinc only. “In today’s tough climate, product longevity and value for money is more important than ever. Forestry projects, solar farms, deer farms etc where x-knot products find a lot of their use, invest a great deal of money and time in their fencing systems and as such, don’t want to be replacing and repairing them regularly due to product failure. EstateWIRE FX answers both the calls from the contractor for a strong, rigid fence that is quicker and easier to professionally install, but it also answers the call from the investor/land owner for a strong, longer lasting fence” commented Tony.
With installation work in progress, it is planned for x-knot machine 2 to be fully operational and working to capacity during Q2. Watch this space for more Estate®WIRE FX products coming to a stockist near you!
