A clear choice for OEMs

South African-based company Ramsay Engineering is a volume manufacturer of automotive components in metal, plastic and leatherette.  The privately-owned company, established in 1971, is renowned for its metal stamping, which comprises 60 per cent of the company’s sales revenues, with the other divisions being plastics, automotive trim, component assemblies and accessories.

The company readily accepts challenges and actively applies innovation and expertise to solving customer problems. A dynamic approach together with strong ethics enables the company to live the motto of, “Our customers come first.”

“Whether it is using their CAD drawings, or working directly with their vehicles to design components, we do what we need to do to make it work for them,” Mark Gutridge, Ramsay’s Commercial Director, tells TABJ. “It’s our ability to be flexible, to respond really quickly to customers’ requirements that makes a difference.”

Automotive manufacturers choose Ramsay Engineering for the breadth of manufacturing processes available to them from a single supplier. “This variety of manufacturing processes allows the supply of a broad range of automotive components. Our customers benefit from our diverse capability as it allows them to deal with one supplier for a part comprising different materials and related processes. Manufacturing divisions are managed by qualified production specialists, and back-up is provided by experts who facilitate the smooth running of all manufacturing equipment. We are able to supply a comprehensive package, from the design through to the delivery of the final product,” says the company profile. Clients seek out Ramsay Engineering’s services for the complete solution.

The facilities (based in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal) occupy 25,000 square metres. The 1,200 square metre tool room is one of the largest in the region, and has a skilled team of 69 people who are enabled by the latest software and a range of highly specialised equipment. “Ramsay’s advantage is that we have a very large tool room and it allows us to manufacture all of our tooling in-house,” says Gutridge, which gives the company a competitive advantage in terms of pricing and flexibility of manufacturing.

“By coordinating use of the tool and die division and metal stamping facilities, the time taken to manufacture the final product is accelerated; the tooling is more accurate and cost effective, while at the same time delivers superior quality. Eccentric and hydraulic pressing capacities range from five to 1,600 tons. Besides conventional presses we also use specialised presses including high speed, multi-stage transfer and up-set forging machines,” says the company profile. High-profile automotive clients (such as BMW) come to Ramsay Engineering for the company’s expertise in metal pressing and tool and die manufacturing.

The company is committed to the use of cutting edge technology and has recently installed new levels of technology in the metal pressing and tool and die manufacturing facilities.  Ongoing investment in technology and equipment serves to improve the output of products and services from Ramsay Engineering.

They undertake Finite Element Analysis and have their own in-house climatically controlled testing facility. Off-line commissioning of equipment prior to on line use ensures a seamless transition between engineering and production.

Ramsay Engineering is able to add value for customers through Technical Aid Agreements and joint ventures it has established with global companies. These partnerships ensure mutual interchange of technical expertise and know-how, thus ensuring global standards and world class lead times coupled with cost efficiencies.

Ramsay Engineering’s operations meet the most stringent international requirements of ISO/TS 16949. The company takes considerable measures to ensure wastage is kept at a minimum and that reclaimable materials are recycled. “Reduction in energy usage and minimisation of the carbon foot print of the overall manufacturing facility is part of the ongoing operation of the Environmental Management Policy,” says Gutridge.

Gutridge elaborates and says his management team continually considers and monitors the impact that Ramsay Engineering has on its environment. “We are a certified ISO 14001 company, but along with certification we strive for excellence in waste management, pollution reduction and general care for the environment we exist and operate in.” “Safety is also a priority across our company and all requirements of the South African Occupational Health and Safety Act are adhered to,” says the company profile.

Recognition for Ramsay and future plans

Toyota SA Motors stands out from the growing roster of Ramsay fans within the international automobile industry, having recently awarded the company a number of accolades. Gutridge enthuses about Ramsay’s great relationship with this, their major customer, who is located approximately 82 kilometres away from Ramsay.  “They gave us an accolade for our cost control, essentially meaning that they believe our costing processes are in line with what they’d like to see,” Gutridge says. “They’ve also given us accolades for our delivery status, which again, they are very happy with.”

Ramsay is all about making business work both ways. Its impressive automobile industry relationships play testament to this. This is a successful, committed and forward-thinking company—the clear choice for OEMs the world over.

www.ramsay.co.za

Add to: del.icio.us | Digg | NewsVine | Mixx | FaceBook | Twitter