In late 2018, Kevin Horne, the MD of Renmar Plastics Machinery and Peter Tobin, the MD of AJ Robotics held talks with Topstar Robotics at their impressive Guangdong Province facility. An agreement to supply the comprehensive range of sprue pickers, cartesian 3-axis and industrial multi axis robots to the UK market was subsequently formalised.
This arrangement means that Renmar will be the official UK distributor for the Topstar product range but will work closely with AJ Robotics in order to provide a full installation, spares and service package to their customers. Items such as conveyors, guarding and end of arm tooling can be offered within an automation package, whilst ensuring that CE compliance is maintained.
Kevin Horne firmly believes that the new alliance between the three companies will allow UK plastics sector companies to benefit from a cost-effective automation solution.
Kevin comments, “To remain competitive, companies will need to make sure they achieve similar levels of automation to their European counterparts. Whilst new injection moulding machines are often bought complete with a 3-axis cartesian robot, many existing machines still rely on the use of operators”
When asked about the formal arrangement reached with AJ Robotics, Kevin commented,
“Other major ancillary suppliers have ‘dabbled’ with lower cost automation products but have lacked the expertise needed to correctly specify and install the equipment. AJ Robotics have years of experience in installing highly complex 6-axis and special purpose machinery solutions, so will be able to ensure an automation cell is correctly specified and commissioned. Training and after sales service will also be provided by their established team of engineers”
When asked why TopStar were selected as their supplier of choice, he commented,
“TopStar are one of the fastest growing manufacturing companies in China. They were founded in 2007 and now, just over 11 years later, have 3 manufacturing sites, with a fourth about to open. The ‘depth’ of their product range, exceptional build quality and extensive technical support facilities made them the obvious choice”
Renmar Plastics Machinery are an established supplier of high-quality machinery, ancillary products and consumable items, with a strong focus on the needs of UK based plastic processing companies. The addition of a full range of automation equipment will complement the existing product ranges.
