Aberdeenshire-based steel, cladding and metalwork specialist, KR Group, is continuing to invest in advanced fabrication technology, future-proofing the company to capitalise on growth across multiple sectors throughout the UK.
Following on from its investment in the LayoutMasterTM Projection system last year – the first of its kind in Scotland – KR Group is set to add the BeamMasterTM to its suite of automated fabrication technology.
An automated robotic welding solution, it’s designed to expedite structural steel fabrication, enhancing both productivity and accuracy. Originating from Canada, the equipment is expected to double KR Group’s weekly steel fabrication capacity, while meeting tight project deadlines.
In upskilling its team of time-served welders to use the new equipment, KR Group is supporting its highly specialised personnel to develop their competencies and adapt to the industry’s drive towards automation.
The BeamMasterTM will eliminate part of the drawing process and streamline the fabrication process for structural steel beams, connectors and components. Capable of batch processing an entire structure and simulating the welding process, the new machinery robotically welds pre-fit beams and connectors in a fraction of the time required for the manual process. This allows KR Group’s skilled welders to concentrate on fabricating the more challenging, bespoke jobs.
The new equipment played an instrumental role in a recent project within the renewable energy sector. KR Group has recently completed steel fabrication and installation for a new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in the UK. The team designed and manufactured bespoke galvanised structural steel platforms at their Newburgh facility, before transporting them to site for installation.
KR Group has been recognised as a leading provider of steel fabrication and installation services across Scotland and the UK for over 20 years. It is committed to harnessing this depth of knowledge and breadth of expertise with a pioneering, solution-focused mindset. This has seen the group invest £2million over the past three years in automating its systems and processes to handle an ever-growing range of specifications and tailored solutions for projects of varying scale and complexity.
The company’s existing workshops already includes a new saw cut and drill line, and complete suite of machinery for sheet metal fabrication of products such as louvres, flashings, insulated gutters and a host of other sheet metal solutions.
KR Group’s business director, Nicola Fraser, said: “Over the past 20 years we have evolved from a small, family business into a thriving, forward-thinking steel and metal fabrication company, harnessing the potential of new technology whilst staying true to our ethos of craftsmanship and customer service.
“Embracing new developments has been a key factor in that achievement. We are always looking ahead, adapting to resolve challenges and capitalise on opportunities, and we see automation as a vital next step to securing the next 20 years of the business. Investing in new technology and facilities and upskilling our highly-valued team positions us to undertake significantly larger projects while reducing lead times and costs, and meeting tight project deadlines.
"The new equipment will also help to alleviate the current skills shortage among fabricators, a widespread concern in the steel and metalwork industry.
“As demand continues to rise for efficient, high-quality, and scalable fabrication, we are well-placed to meet the evolving needs of the industry across a wide range of general and bespoke steel and metal fabrication projects.”
KR Group has been widely commended for its commitment to QHSE values and maintains EN1090 (Ex. Class3), PAS2060; ISO9001, 14001 and 45001 UKAS accreditations. In addition, KR Group is the only company north of Glasgow which has achieved its FASET accreditation.