Despite a wide range and a willingness to customize its offerings , Hamilton has come to rely more heavily on robotics and automation – increasingly so , in the post-Covid business environment .
“ We started investing in CNC lathes in the 1980s , so while we weren ’ t the earliest into automation we now have a full complement for machining caster parts and wheels ,” he explains . “ We have had robotic welding for decades now , and recently bought another two machines . They do the major part of the welding of the casters themselves .” While automation is essential , there is still a place for skilled manual fabrication .
“ The carts and dollies are nearly all custom , in sizes and materials . They can be made of different materials and all sorts of sizes : eight , 10 or 12 feet wide and anything up to 20-to-30 feet long . There is little opportunity to automate so they are built by hand ,” Dave continues . “ A lot of hand welding goes on and we have overhead cranes
“
The carts and dollies are nearly
“ all custom , in sizes and materials
to move them . Behind all that is a strong team of design and engineering staff .”
Family heritage
Hamilton is almost at full employment ; it would like to have more but recruitment has been very difficult , post Covid . The business is prepared to incentivize potential and existing employees and is also in touch with
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