THK, a leading international manufacturer of linear motion systems has expanded its UK operation by moving to new purpose-built headquarters in Milton Keynes. The new facility is part of an ongoing global expansion programme and is intended both to support the continued growth of the organisation in the UK and to improve still further the range and quality of the technical and engineering services offered to customers throughout industry.
The new facility measures approximately 1700 m² and has been custom-built to THK's specification to provide extensive office, warehousing, engineering and training areas. The building has also been given a high BREEAM rating - this registers the energy and environmental efficiency of the building and considers a variety of factors including pollution, land use, management, ecology, transport and location.
Branch manager, Andy Sim, explains that, "The new headquarters form a key part in our long term global and European expansion programmes. These consider four key areas of our business: customer processes, operation, work processes, training and learning. Our objective over time is review and enhance all areas of our business to ensure we continue to provide ever higher levels of technical innovation, product choice, quality and customer support.
"For example, the latest £1,3 million investment in the new UK facilities will enable us to control our stockholding, expand our training resources and improve factors such as response to enquiry times, order pro-cessing and application engineering."
The latest investment in the UK follows the recent expansion of manufacturing facilities in Alsace, France, and the announcement of plans to develop the plant into one of the largest centres of linear motion production and expertise in the world.
Andy Sim explains that, "Our plant locations are key to the business' reputation and performance. We have eight manufacturing plants in Japan, further factories in the USA, Europe and China, and additionally a sales network with over 40 branches around the globe; with these kinds of facilities we can provide the best level of local service to our customers wherever they may be."
SKF, one of the world's largest and most experienced manufacturers of quality bearings and associated products and sealing systems, and supplier of power transmission products and couplings, recently acquired the sole distribution rights for the THK product range in sub-Sahara Africa.
About THK
THK was founded by a joint investment between Toho Seiko and Miyairi Valve Seisakusho in March 1973 in Tokyo, Japan. THK America was founded in March 1981 in Chicago, then followed the founding of THK Europe in October 1982 in Dusseldorf, Germany. THK went on to acquire a list of premises in Italy, Sweden, France, Canada, Los Angeles and China. In July 1989, THK established its first UK office in Milton Keynes.
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