Tim Gilbert, who has been active in the metalworking equipment sales environment in South Africa for over 10 years, has recently established his own company – Machine Tool & Design Technology – a company that will be intrinsically linked with the metalworking industry because of the international equipment manufacturers that Machine Tool & Design Technology will represent and service in South Africa.

“I have been very active in securing a number of sole agency agreements and shared agency agreements. Most of these international companies that I will represent I have been working with for a number of years now, while at the previous company that I worked for,” said Gilbert.

“That company has been through an ownership, name and direction change and I have taken the opportunity to secure eight sole agency agreements and five split agency agreements that I hope to turn into sole agency agreements by the end of 2020, depending on the sales figures.”

Baty offers a range of precision measuring instruments from hand tools to vision systems, offering solutions for almost every measurement application in modern manufacturing

“There are many risks associated with starting any new business. We have all heard the statistics that a high percentage of new businesses fail within the first year of operation. In addition, manufacturing is an especially tough business, with competition from both domestic and international sources. Many once-successful manufacturing companies have folded in recent years, often because of situations beyond their control. None have been faced with, or experienced, the current pandemic that is affecting all walks of life in the world.”

“However, you have to be positive and plan for the future. Despite the inherent risks associated with starting your own business, many people have been successful in fulfilling their dreams. In almost every case, successful start-ups are born from a good plan.”

“In my case I had already built up strong relationships with my international suppliers. I had either visited most of their factories or seen them at the international exhibitions such as EMO and Timtos or, in some cases, done both.”

From CNC equipment to measurement
“I believe that I now have a group of quality products that cover the main disciplines of shaping, forming, cutting and bending metal while at the same time I am able to offer the software for a complete CAD/CAM solution for CNC programming, from initial part design to full machine simulation. The product offering is finished off with a range of precision measuring instruments from hand tools to vision systems, offering solutions for almost every measurement application in modern manufacturing.”

Sole agencies
“On the software side CAMWorks from HCL Technologies is a leading CAM software that can be integrated within the Solidworks and the Solid Edge CAD Systems platforms. CAMWorks software is designed to be a complete CAD/CAM solution for CNC programming, from initial part design to full machine simulation. This CAM software offers a full knowledge-based machining process, which allows the user to capture and reuse the most efficient machining techniques in your shop.”

“On the shaping equipment side I am able to offer CNC milling machines, CNC vertical and horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes, CNC gantry machining centers, drilling machines and CNC hob sharpening machines all used in the aerospace, automotive, electronics, precision mould making and mechanical parts processing, as well as many other types of industries in use of metal production.”

CAMWorks from HCL Technologies is a leading CAM software that can be integrated within the Solidworks and the Solid Edge CAD Systems platforms

“These international manufacturers of this equipment include Focus CNC Co, Primero Machine Tools Corp and the Takam Group. Through the previous company that I was with all of these companies already have a presence in South Africa and a footprint of a number of machines throughout the country.”

“We will also be supplying training equipment from Taiwan manufacturer RenAn. They manufacture CNC machines that simulate CNC machine operations with advanced 3D animation software, perfect and unique equipment for training CNC operators and learners.”
“RenAn has its own particular importance as I would like to explore the education and skills development markets with a focus on FET and other training outlets. They have recently released a new simulator that I have just received an order for.”

“Their innovative solution means that users don’t have to worry about whether they would be scalded by hot chips flying from a CNC machine or if they would be injured by fractured tools and unfastened workpieces. This enables trainees to practice CNC operation by themselves free from the worry about people being injured or damage being done to machines. Thus, a safe, unpressurised and stable learning environment is created.”

“Other equipment I can sell is from Pinnacle and the CNC woodworking equipment from OAV Equipment.”

Loc-Line range
“Although I am not the sole agent I will also be marketing and distributing the Loc-Line range of products, an important accessory to all CNC equipment. The Loc-Line range is the standard for coolant delivery around the world and was easily recognised by the blue and orange colours of the modular hose product.”

The Loc-Line range

“Loc-Line is used not only as a coolant hose but for air delivery, smoke and dust removal vacuum systems, agriculture, third arm uses including positioning cameras, lights and items for handicap assist.”

Baty measuring equipment
“Originally, a manufacturer of high precision dial indicators and other associated instruments such as cylinder bore gauges, Baty has diversified into non-contact measurement with optical profile projectors. The Baty shadograph range has since become an industry standard in profile projectors. These products are still manufactured in Sussex, England in accordance with ISO 9001:2015.”

“Now part of Bowers Group, Baty offers a range of precision measuring instruments from hand tools to vision systems, offering solutions for almost every measurement application in modern manufacturing.”

Forming, bending and cutting
“I will also be representing a range of forming, bending and cutting equipment, which includes CNC routers, laser cutters and plasma cutters, press brakes, roll plate bending machines, profile-pipe bending machines, hydraulic steelworkers, bandsaws and milling and drilling machines.”

“These include Omni, Boxford, Rong Fu, Sahinler and Fu Ho. Again, for some of them I am the sole agent and for others I have split agreements.”

“Boxford have been supplying manufacturing systems to education, design and industrial customers all over the world for more than 70 years. Their vast experience and knowledge in this sector has meant that their machines and software are straight forward and easy to use, making it very simple for students to manufacture their creations.”

“New businesses often begin in bad economies. Would-be business owners might dream of the right time to launch, but the wrong time has a way of driving events instead. A layoff or buyout during a bad economy might provide the kick. Many successful business owners can relate to this, because they started this way as well, some of them waiting out those bad economies until the better times provided the first opportunity for the young business to flourish.”

“Many people dream of starting their own business. Once you understand the risks and take steps to minimise them through careful planning, your odds of success are far greater, and the chance for personal satisfaction is much more achievable.”

For further details contact Machine Tool & Design Technology on Cell: 076 867 7845 or email Tim@MTDTech.co.za or visit www.mtdtech.co.za