After a continuous three-year, two-phase project to build a purpose-built manufacturing facility on the edge of the company’s hometown of Spilsby, Tong Engineering officially opened its brand-new doors to visitors on 6th & 7th July in a celebratory Grand Opening event.
The two-day opening event marks a key milestone for the vegetable equipment manufacturer, with the new 90,000 ft2 factory now in full operation.
“Since we commenced works on our first-phase building at the end of 2019, we have been working towards the day where all departments of the business can operate from one site,” explains Edward Tong, Managing Director at Tong Engineering. “It has been a pleasure to finally open our factory doors to showcase our new manufacturing facilities, as well as demonstrate the part that every employee and each department at Tong Engineering plays in manufacturing our wide range of custom-built handling equipment.”
“During the build project we have been fortunate to achieve the sale of and smooth transition from our heritage site in the town, which we occupied for almost 90 years, and we are delighted that we now have the facilities and space to maximise our manufacturing capability,” says Edward.
Amongst the investments inside the factory is new shot-blast, paint spraying and powder coating facilities. The shot blast unit ensures materials are properly prepared prior to the high-quality paint process which uses either powder or a two-part primer and paint, for a long-lasting finish as standard.
Standing at 11 metres high, all three buildings within the new facility are fitted with over-head lifting cranes, making equipment movements much easier as well as bringing huge benefits in the final assembly of large equipment and turnkey handling lines.
As well as a high-speed fibre
which precisely cuts large quantities of mild and stainless steel, Tong’s metal-preparation departments house press brakes, CNC saws and lathes, all of which are used to manufacture equipment parts and components which are subsequently assembled and welded within the mild and stainless fabrication departments.
Finally, alongside some traditional stores racking and shelving, the Tong stores department houses two 9m tall storage towers, which store over 20 tons of spare parts and components in each tower. At the touch of a button any tray within the storage tower can be called upon for easy picking of parts before it is returned to its shelved location.
Of the new facility, Charles Tong, Chairman at Tong Engineering, comments “I am very proud that we have been able to complete this landmark achievement during my time in the business. It has been our goal for many years to operate from a purpose-built site, and very importantly in our hometown which thrives on the business that local employment brings. Our new facility now fully occupies the seven-acre site, and we are very pleased with the efficiencies that have been created with all aspects of the business now under one roof.”
“We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to visit our new factory during our Grand Opening event,” adds Edward. “We will of course be very happy to welcome more visitors over the coming months as we continue to demonstrate the manufacturing processes behind Tong equipment.”