Hear from our wonderful new members to our ABL family…

Kalem Metz – Joined February 2022
(Machine Operator, Finishing/Grinding Section)

Induction with ABL: 

Q: Why did you join ABL?
A: I was a courier previously and wanted a change of career and had recently moved to the local area; I was referred by an ABL colleague and after hearing more about the company culture and role, I wanted to give it a go!

Q: How did you find moving into Engineering, with ABL:
A: I had no idea how precise the job role was until I joined. How the parts and then the overall products are made is really interesting. I can see from time around the factory how it comes together and was blown away by how the process works. I love being hands-on with the machines and parts, it really is the best job I have ever had!

Q: What was your first impression of the company when you joined?
A: Busy and I felt like I was working for a really established company.

Q: How did you feel when first joined?
A: Nervous at first as I thought everyone would think I was a younger person with no engineering experience coming in, but everyone has been so helpful and helped me out, it’s a really caring place to work.

Q: How was your induction with the company- how was the training, support and environment?
A: Training was good and I am still wanting more training now to develop myself, but the initial training to get me started in my role was helpful and eased me into the new role.

Q:  What have you learnt since joining ABL, professionally and personally?
A: The Importance of working as a team and that consistency is important. Feeling part of ABL’s targets being achieved is an example, I feel we achieve as a team and celebrate as a team and it is nice to actually feel a part of something.

Q:  Do you see a future pathway for your career development with ABL?
A:  I have an idea of where I want to go now. ABL have seen my efforts since I started and are fully supporting my development, I joined in February 2022 as a Machine Operator, just manning controls of the Studer’s for example, by the Summer 2022 I was starting to learn setups on the new Studer S21’s, so really feel supported to train and develop my skillset.

So, what about the ABL culture….

Q: What makes ABL a good place to work?
A: The quality of the work, with a caring staff team and no judgment of the fact I came in without experience, being trained by colleagues who have been with the company for 25+ years!

It also surprised me coming into an engineering company, to see such a diverse workforce; different genders, ages and ethnicities of people, was really nice to see.

Q: What has or does ABL do differently and/or better, than previous places you have worked?
A: I can be myself here at ABL and  I am appreciated for myself; I can talk the truth and receive the truth back, I can give and receive feedback.

It is also a very busy environment, but with a relaxed feel at the same time.

Q: How would you describe the culture here at ABL?
A: Like a family! It’s amazing- for example I came back from holiday from Turkey and everyone around the company, not just my section, is asking me how it was, I felt missed! Was really warming to come back to.

Q: What are some great highlights for you since being with ABL?
A: Well really, just great communication, the attention to detail and quality we work towards and being able to be trained and develop further in just 6 months!

Hear from our wonderful new members to our ABL family…

Tony Gollop – October 2021
(Team Leader of Finishing/Grinding Section)

Induction with ABL:

Q: Why did you join ABL?
A: I was employed by ABL previously from 2010 to 2016 after completing an apprenticeship with Westwind; I moved to Westwind and was trained in grinding and actually reported to Adrian Fripp at the time, who is now the production supervisor at ABL.

Q: So what about your progression with the company?
A: I firstly joined ABL as a Machine Operator and was mentored to do setups and programming on the CNC Myfords and then progressed onto CNC Studer’s; I wanted to learn more products, so I raised this to my Supervisor and then ended up going around the departments and moved onto different machines. Over my 6 years I learnt to program, set and operate, working with a majority of the same team as I am today! 

The company was then going through some changes and I was offered the opportunity to apply for the Team Leader position in which I was successful, I did this role for over 8 months, however after being with the company for 6 years and progressing, I wanted to learn some new skills and develop my machining capability outside of ABL. 

Q: Why did you come back to ABL?
A:  Jason Freshwater (Supply Chain Manager) approached me; the company was going through changes and had invested in new Studer machines, so I knew I could learn new machining equipment and not just be a team-leader away from the machines, I could develop my machining and management skills in parallel.

Q: What do you enjoy about your role with ABL?
A:  I enjoy being team leader, it’s a good role for future progression.  The variety in work is great and I have been involved with multiple challenges some days i.e. helping operators, problem solving with colleagues, supporting apprentices with their coursework and working with HR on matters; this has helped my development and just enabled me to be exposed to different areas of the company.

Q: What has been refreshing to you coming from other employers?
A: We are kept in the loop as a company on where we are going; we know what business targets we have per month and receive relevant information from the operational management. 

ABL Culture:

Q: What do you like most about working with ABL?
A: Feel respected by my team and we feel like part of a team here; any problems we face, we support each-other and work collectively.

Q: What makes ABL a good place to work?
A: The People. Also the balance between respect and work-life balance. The management team are also friendly and I feel I can go to my manager and Darren Fay with anything, they are approachable.

Q: What makes ABL a competitive employer to work for? 
A: The overall benefits are great; we have a competitive pension, we received a cost of living increase rise in April 2022 and we work a 4-day week- overall really good benefits that suit me.

Q: How would you describe the culture here at ABL?
A: Fun, comical and lighthearted. The people are polite and treat everyone with respect; there is 100% a team and family ethos

Q: Best highlights for you since being with ABL?
A: For me it was the Christmas hamper given to all employees’ I had been here for around 2/3 months and the company just showed respect to new starters which was really welcoming; we were all given a hamper and a Christmas bonus and this really wasn’t expected as new starter. We also receive small rewards unexpectedly, such as free cakes (regularly!).

Air Bearings Technology

In an aerostatic air bearing, air is continuously fed-in under pressure through a set of small holes, creating a cushion of air between the shaft and bearing surfaces, allowing frictionless high-speed rotation of the shaft to achieve rotational speeds of between 20,000 RPM up to 400,000 RPM.

The image below outlines how this technology works..

Design & Analysis

Over the last 30 years as Air bearing spindle technology has advanced, the need for precise and reliable design solutions has never been more critical.

With extensive use of CAD (Computer Aided Design), FEA (Finite Element Analysis), CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and other design tools, we have taken our products to new levels of development.

ABL’s team of engineers make extensive use of these design tools, allowing us to design products that meet the speed, precision and quality that our customers require.

This expertise has been recognised at the highest level, with ABL being awarded on three separate occasions, the prestigious Queen’s Award for Export and Innovation.

Hear from our wonderful new members to our ABL family…

Shiani Jhurry –  Joined August 2021
(Quality Control Technician)

About You:

Q:Job Title, Start Date, Previous background i.e. engineering, other etc.
A: I joined ABL in August 2021, previously I worked in Psychiatry for 4 years and was working in nurseries prior to this. Nursery role enabled good balance with work and home-life, then moved to Psychiatry but became burnt out.

Darren Fay actually recommended the role to me, as I wanted to do a role that gave me job satisfaction and good work/life balance so the role with ABL ticked all the boxes.

I have no quality or engineering experience but they didn’t mind this and I was given lot of support at the beginning, was really thrown in at deep end, but everyone was really supportive and knew my lack of knowledge.

Q: What was your first impression of the company when you joined?
A: Didn’t know what to expect, came in open minded, no comparison

Q: What have you learnt since joining ABL, professionally and personally?
A: I have been in Quality with ABL for 1 year and now and my manager saw my potential and wanted me to be more challenged and expand my knowledge, so I am now learning more of the Quality Assurance side and the manual side of inspection and quality, so I am being trained by a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer.

Coming from a different industry, it has been eye opening and incredible to work with such an amazing and supportive team. I am communicating with different departments like Assembly and speaking with engineers over quality matters, it is amazing to not be stuck in one role, in one role- I am getting to hear and see different departments ways of working and exposure to the full process,

I am encouraged to problem solve and whenever I have asked for help I have been supported and not made to feel silly.

Q: What worked well for you joining ABL with no engineering background?
A: It was good to start within quality, it gave me idea of what was the ideal product outcome and exactly what ABL wants to achieve. I learnt the role alongside supportive training and working, not just one or the other.

ABL Culture:

Q: What makes ABL a good place to work?
A: When I first joined, myself and my family were impacted by Covid-19, but I was completely supported. There was understanding from Day 1 in my role as a parent and complete mutual respect and always good and clear communication of what is expected of me.

Q: How do we compare against other engineering companies?
A: As above really- The mutual respect between my employer and employee needs is considered. Family and work-balance was key for me and was listened to.

Q: How would you describe the culture here at ABL?
A: There is a diverse culture, in terms of age range, knowledge and experience shared between people and people from different backgrounds. You don’t feel ever stupid for asking a question to anyone. Overall it is diverse and fun!

I went from an employer with a female dominated workforce, to now a male dominated workforce and it has been a total shift, but I am incredibly enjoying it! It is refreshing and everyone works hard but has a laugh!

One thing for me that I saw when I joined, is that the teams work in tandem, we all work as one, which is great.

Q: What has been a best highlight for you since being with ABL?
A: The surprise little gifts we receive- like the Christmas hamper, water bottles and bottle of drink  and Ice Cream van that was organised for us in the middle of summer!

Hear from our wonderful new members to our ABL family

Daniel Whittingham – Joined 2006
(Engineering Manager)

I knew someone who worked for ABL and they said it was a good place to work. Once I stepped into the environment, it seemed like such as interesting place to work!

• 2006 Started at ABL as a Technical Apprentice
• 2008 Moved into the design (drawing) office
• 2009 Completed my apprenticeship and promoted to Draughtsman
• 2011 Promoted to Junior Design Engineer
• 2013 Promoted to Design Engineer
• 2017 Left ABL
• 2021 Re-joined ABL as a Senior Engineer
• 2021 – Present Promoted to Engineering Manager

Hear from our wonderful new members to our ABL family…

Ali Billam – Joined February 2022
(Customer Service & Purchasing Administrator)

About your background:

– Previously worked as a Dispatch Supervisor at another local company
– Joined ABL through word of mouth, I had no progression in my previous role and wanted a change of company culture from what I was used to.

Induction:

Q: What was your first impression of the company?
A: Really friendly, I instantly got a ‘team’ feel when I walked through the door. I left my interview feeling positive and that ABL was ‘the right fit for me’

Q: How was your induction with the company – how was the training, support and environment?
A: It was informative and inclusive, I was treated like an adult.

Q: How have you enjoyed the role?
A: I am really enjoying it, I do so many varieties of work, and learn every day. It keeps me on my toes and no day is the same, so I am not bored doing the same thing day in and day out!

Q: Have you been given opportunities to progress and develop your skills?
A: Yes, due to the variety. My line manager, Justyna, gives me the push and the confidence in what I am doing, trusts what I am doing and keeps me on my toes.

ABL culture:

Q: What makes ABL a good place to work?
A: Love feeling part of a team, ABL is a growing business and I feel comfortable being here. I have been here 6 months and had no issues, everyone is helpful. There are no troublemakers here that block my role, we just work as a team.

Q: Why would you recommend us as a great place to work?
A: Yes- great people to work with great training, not feeling left on my own- I recommended 2 people to work here and they are now both employed here and enjoying it!

Q: How do we compare against other engineering companies?
A: Feel secure in my role and company. I passed my probation early and got great feedback from Darren (MD) I was welcomed very early on.

Q: What has or does ABL do differently and/or better, than other employers?
A: Make me feel my worth; I am needed and appreciated. Sharing funny moments with managers, never felt happier since working here. I know my position here but feel on a level with management and share laughs. You don’t feel bossed about- there is no ‘us and them’ culture.

Q: How would you describe the culture here at ABL?
A: Team-working is key here. Look forward to going to work every day.

Taiwanese Agent

ABL are pleased to announce that Windirs Technology Co. Ltd have been appointed as Sales and repairs agent for Taiwan.

WINDIRS Taiwan

TEL +886-3-3525806
MOB +886-920587487

E-mail albert@windirs.com.tw

For all other territories please contact ABL directly.

Service & Repair Centres

ABL is proud to announce that Windirs Technology. Co. Ltd. is authorised as our Service & Repair Centre in Taiwan. For any enquiries in this region, Windirs may be contacted directly at:

Windirs Technology Co., Ltd.
6F., No.66-10, Sec. 2, Nankan Rd.,
Luchu Dist.,
Taoyuan City 33855.
Taiwan, R.O.C.

TEL: +886 (0) 3-3525806
FAX: +886 (0) 3-3227099
E-mail sales@windirs.com.tw
Website: www.en.windirs.com.tw

For all other territories please contact ABL directly.

Korean Agent

ABL is proud to announce that Sambo Corporation is our agent for our range of Micro-machining, Dicing and High-precision products in Korea. For any enquiries in this region, Sambo may be contacted directly at:

SAMBO Corporation
A-704 (SK Twintech Tower),
119 Gasandigital 1-ro,
Geumcheon-gu, Seoul,
153-773, Korea

TEL: +82 2 863 2313
FAX: +82 2 863 2317

E-mail sambo@sambokorea.com
Website: www.sambocorporation.com

For all other territories please contact ABL directly.