A strategy of continuous investment has enabled A&M to grow to a workforce of 70 employees and achieve sales over £6m.
A&M EDM was set up in October 2002 by Mark Wingfield and Arthur Watts, hence the name A&M.
The company started business by renting a single wire eroder and factory space from one of their first customers, Burcas in Smethwick.
A&M quickly expanded as a wire and spark erosion sub-contractor, manufacturing tools for local industry. Over the next five years growth continued and A&M purchased the factory unit.
In 2008 A&M had 14 employees, increasing to 22 staff by 2012. By 2015 over 50 staff had taken to company to sales over £3m.
As engineering sub-contractors struggled in the recession from 2009, A&M seized an opportunity to expand by investing in machinery, employing skilled staff and diversifying into the CNC manufacture precision components for the aerospace and automotive sectors.
A&M Apprentice Development
A major challenge for UK manufacturing is the shortage of skilled engineers and technicians.
In 2013 the company began an Apprentice programme to develop our future talent and the next generation of engineers with experienced staff acting as mentors.
A&M developed a programme to give apprentices an understanding of engineering and all aspects of the business, before specialising to match company requirements.
This is complemented by training and qualifications with our partners at Dudley College and the Black Country Institute of Technology.
A strategy of continuous investment enabled A&M to grow to a workforce of 70 employees and sales over £6m by 2020.
A&M EDM Awards
This successful growth has been recognised by a number of awards including:
- Thrive at Work wellbeing Bronze award 2021
- Make UK SME of the Year runner-up Midlands & East 2020
- Make UK Business Growth & Strategy runner-up Midlands & East 2019
- Express & Star Manufacturing Champion 2019
- Black Country Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Manufacturing & Engineering winners 2018 & 2017
- EEF Business Growth winner Midlands & East 2016
- Express & Star SME of the Year 2016
- The Manufacturer Top 100 role models
A & M EDM Investment Timeline
2002
Company launched in October 2002 by Mark Wingfield and Arthur Watts. After an initial period of growth a plan to initiate investment into our capabilities was developed.
2008
A milk lorry from the dairy opposite crashes into our building. We take the opportunity the reconfigure the available space to expand the business.
2010
As manufacturing recession continues we hire experienced engineers and expand into Aerospace component manufacturing.
2014
£4m expansion into a second 41,000 square foot factory unit. This site became the base for our CNC machining with 3, 4, 5 Axis CNC milling and turning centres and a dedicated metrology inspection facility.
2016
£250k project to develop new rotary engine with bespoke engine testing facility.
2017
£450k 2 new wire eroders, new LED lighting in both factories.
2018
£650k new spark eroder, CNC 5-axis, Laser calibration & analyser.
2019
£1m High Speed Milling & 5-axis CNCs, image measurement & factory reconfiguration.
2020
£400k turning centre, CMM, 3D carbon fibre printer.
2021
£500k 5-axis CNC machine and 2 wire eroders
Our Journey in Images
A&M EDM was set up in October 2002 by Mark Wingfield and Arthur Watts.
Since then we have come a long way - the images below highlight some memorable moments on the company journey
The Beginning - 2014
2014 - 2016
2017 - 2019
2019 - 2020
2021
