Leicester-based Advanced Machinery Services (AMS) will be opening a 10,000 sq ft purpose-built showroom and training facility at its Skeffington Mill site later this year. The new low carbon footprint building will house up to 18 new and refurbished machines in the showroom, all powered up and fully operational with extraction. The facility will also house a retail shop for both the trade and hobbyist to purchase machines and ancillaries.
“Our business has seen tremendous growth over the last few years and this new showroom, training and retail facility is a major investment in our future,” explains Steve McGloin, a director at AMS.
“We recognise the demands of the market are changing all the time. Customers want a choice; some can’t afford the level of investment required to buy new equipment, but they need a machine and so buying a refurbished model with a 12 month warranty is very attractive to them.
“Our new showroom and training facility will reflect this need, with both new and refurbished equipment on display. Also, from our point of view, having money tied up in stock is expensive; consequently, we want to fully utilise the showroom machinery by using it for training purposes as well.”
Cementing the relationship with specialist training company Didac
For the training, AMS is extending its association with training company Didac. By delivering quality training that is second to none, Bristol-based Didac has established a reputation as the premier training company in the furniture manufacturing and woodworking industries. It manages and runs the health and safety at the industry’s W14 exhibition and is heavily involved working with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).
Over the last three or four years AMS has developed close ties with Jon Gibson and Martin James, the founders of Didac. “Jon and Martin are well respected in the industry,” confirms Steve McGloin, “our companies share similar philosophies, so it was a perfect fit for us to develop a partnership with Jon, Martin and their team.”
A comprehensive range of training and consultancy services
“In the early days, we offered training services to CNC machine users,” explains Jon Gibson, managing director of Didac. “Since then we have expanded our offer to include a wide range of training and consultancy services. When the opportunity arose to become part of this exciting new venture with AMS, we jumped at the chance.
“AMS is centrally located in the UK and therefore ideally sited in terms of it being a convenient place for companies in the Midlands and the North to send staff for training. At the AMS Skeffington Mill site we will replicate similar training packages as to those we offer in Bristol.
“Our two Nottingham-based trainers will deliver courses out of the AMS building. Initially we will be offering courses to those already in work that need up-skilling or refresher training and also, via our National Funding Contract, training those people who are unemployed and looking to gain qualifications to move into the industry.
“For AMS and Didac, this relationship will strengthen both parties’ already strong reputations. For Didac, it allows us to have an impact on the Midlands and North of the country, whilst for AMS it offers another string to its bow and makes maximum use of the new facility.
“Finally, it is good for the industry as a whole, something which is very important to both AMS and Didac. We will be running courses that vary in length from one day to six or 12 months and in the future will be looking at ways to work with the schools in the area to train up teachers,” concludes Jon Gibson.
To help promote the training courses run through the new Leicester facility, there will be a member of Didac’s team on the AMS stand (8C335) at W14, 5-8th October NEC Birmingham.
