An established portfolio of silver, gold and platinum partners bring to the table specialist skills and knowledge in their sector, for customers that need equipment integration, enabling KUKA to strengthen the breadth and depth of expertise available to its customers.
One of KUKA’ long standing system partners, CNC Robotics, the UK’s leading integrator specialising in advanced machining applications, have retained their Platinum system partner status.
Despite a challenging year for UK manufacturing, CNC Robotics not only celebrated their 10th anniversary but finished 2020 on a high, most notably as one of twenty-two SMEs across the Liverpool City Region to receive part of the Metro Mayor's £1.1m Future Innovation Fund, established to reward businesses that have continued to innovate during the pandemic and so contribute to the area's economic recovery.
KUKA has a structured partner programme; entry level, through Platinum. “It is a tiered structure,” says Bernard Bagley, Head of Robot Sales General Industry, UK. “We encourage and support our system partners up to the Platinum level, which is based on the number of robots they sell.”
KUKA first established relations with CNC Robotics back in 2011.
Bernard continues “As time goes on, the relationship becomes closer. KUKA does not merely introduce a system partner, wait for the orders and then deliver a new batch of robots at the customer’s door for the integrator to get on with integrating; it encourages an open and symbiotic relationship built upon trust and mutual respect”.
CNC Robotics’ passion for innovation and expertise makes them a market leader in advanced machining applications Their appetite for dynamic, technically advanced automated solutions, gives their clients a competitive edge over their competitors.
“It’s win-win-win, for ourselves, our system partners and the end users” says Tara Baker, Sales Channel Manager, KUKA UK. “That’s the strength of our (KUKA/CNC) relationship - the ability to deliver, novel ideas and solutions that address manufacturing challenges”.
Tara continues “Having worked personally with CNC Robotics for almost five years, it has been fantastic to see such a great team expand. Their knowledge and expertise within the sector are recognised not only locally in the North West, Nationally across the UK & Ireland, but globally too and within many different industries. CNC Robotics’ dedication to STEM and inspiring the next generation is inspiring, and certainly sends out a very important, positive message that the manufacturing, engineering and automation sector is the place to be! Having CNC as one of our Platinum system partners not only shows that CNC Robotics are at the top of their game, but also reinforces our commitment to supporting their continued growth, and amazing work they do within the manufacturing industry”.
Bernard adds “CNC Robotics officially achieved Platinum System Partner status for KUKA Robotics (UK) Ltd in 2019, in recognition of the growth in sales of KUKA robots they had achieved. Since becoming a Platinum system partner, they have increased sales of the KUKA products and are now one of our strategic partners, particularly in the application of machining with robots”.
“Jason Barker, founder and technical guru behind CNC Robotics is undoubtedly one of the most prominent experts in the use of industrial robots for machining in the world” Bernard continues. “He and the team are working on a multitude of technical projects, and since appointing Philippa Glover as Managing Director, allowing himself to concentrate on applications and installations, the company has gone from strength to strength. It is a time of growth for the automation sector and we have absolutely no doubt that KUKA and CNC Robotics will both continue to benefit from our ongoing, strategic relationship”
And there seems to be no let-up in CNC Robotics’ ambitions into 2021, with a focus upon further business growth in the North East, and beyond, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.
“The UK's success as a manufacturing nation will be defined by manufacturers ability to work together and embrace technology to work smarter not harder” says Philippa Glover, Managing Director, CNC Robotics. “Strategic partnerships, such as that we have with KUKA, have meant we (CNC) continue to grow from strength to strength. We shall continue to work together, helping manufacturers realise that robotics and automation can play a positive role within their operations, for a more resilient and sustainable future”.