Firm is big success in hard times

Indentec Hardness Testing Machines designs and builds devices to test the hardness of metal used in building everything from cars to submarines. Today it revealed it is building on a record year in 2008 with more success in 2009. More than 275 machines were supplied globally last year from its base in Bromley Lane, Lye, and after a successful January and February the firm hopes for a £2.5 million 2009 turnover.

It supplies worldwide including China, India, Russia and the US with about 80 per cent of machines going overseas.

It employs 18 people at the moment and hopes to bring in more when the current economic climate improves.

Manager John Piller, with the firm for 10 years, said: "We are in a strong position because we have such a strong base for our machines overseas. Many other companies in our line of work have already folded and did so before the slump in the economic climate.

"However we remain in an excellent position and 2008 was our most successful yet in terms of the number of machines sold.

"The next 12 months will be critical for us as it will be for many firms in the area but we are coming into it from a position of strength."

Machines ensure metal and welding used is strong enough for tasks to be performed on a daily basis through a series of tests.

Indentec has supplied machines for names such as Jaguar, Volvo, Corus, Ford and British Aerospace.

All aspects are created on site from complex electronics to casing and individual components. Basic models retail for about £5,000 with more sophisticated models, connected to specialist computers, costing up to £40,000.

Devices can also be created for specialist areas, such as testing hardness of bullet casings and individual car parts. Machines are built and tested on the factory floor before being packed for shipment around the world.

Other sections of the factory are devoted to the creation of the electronics such as circuitboards to be placed inside the devices.