Brandauer has installed a BSTA510-150B2 press line from Bruderer UK to scale razor frame production. The £700,000 system delivers 51 tons of power at up to 1,050 strokes per minute and supports modular progressive tooling. A BBV191 mechanical feed enables processing of 0.15 mm high-tensile stainless steel for high-volume output.
“Our relationship with Bruderer goes way beyond that of a machine supplier; in essence the press specialist has become a critical partner in our pursuit of new automated process development and ultra precision parts,” explained Rowan Crozier, CEO of Brandauer.
“The latest BSTA510-150B2 press is the perfect example of how the relationship works. We won and set-up a new line to supply lead frames for subscription razor assemblies and, due to increasing volumes, recognized the need for additional capacity that could take us to the next level.”
He continued: “We sat down with Bruderer UK’s expert sales team, who are all former toolmakers, and came up with an option that gave us the power, the control, the speed and the accuracy our clients were craving.”
The Bruderer UK press includes dynamic ram adjustment and controlled bottom dead center positioning, the lowest point in the ram stroke. The company said its strip-level ram guidance helps keep a progression tool aligned during off-center loading. The Bruderer B2 Control speeds tool changeovers by using stored tool data to set press parameters automatically.
Adrian Haller, managing director of Bruderer UK added: “The latest project means we have now placed 38 different machines into Brandauer’s Birmingham factory since the early 1960s.
“We know each other inside out and this means we can work quickly to test-run tooling projects, seamlessly picking-up highly confidential contracts where precision is paramount.
“Through tooling concepts, press optimization, protection systems and ancillary equipment, we are able to jointly deliver world-class automation solutions that go far beyond a simple machine sale.”
He continued: “The razor contract was secured against international competition and proves that UK manufacturing can be very cost competitive.”
Bruderer UK opened a competence center in Telford in January 2025 to support customers and partners. The facility has reduced response times for spare parts, repairs, and service support. It also enables faster demonstrations of presses and ancillary equipment, leading to the purchase of a Micro Servo Feeder and added machine safety sensors. Engineers from both Bruderer UK and Brandauer collaborate on research and development work, including a project involving Ford.
Rowan concluded: “The engineering professionalism of the Bruderer UK engineers really stands out and is something we’ve tapped into significantly over recent years – there’s a real appetite from them to make sure UK manufacturing thrives.
“A relationship of more than six decades proves the importance of collaboration and the longevity of its precision high-speed presses that are among the best in the world.”
Source: Bruderer
About Bruderer
Bruderer AG, founded in 1943 by Egon Bruderer, is a Swiss company renowned globally for its high-precision, high-performance stamping presses. Headquartered in Frasnacht, Switzerland, the company offers a range of products including stamping presses with press forces from 180 to 2500 kN, feed units, servo axes, and control systems. Bruderer serves various industries such as automotive, electronics, medical, watchmaking, and food and beverage. With approximately 500 employees worldwide, including around 390 at its Frasnacht site, the company maintains a strong international presence through subsidiaries across Europe, North America, and Asia. As of July 2024, Bruderer AG’s annual revenue was reported at $9.7 million. The company’s commitment to performance, precision, and quality has established it as a leader in the stamping and metal forming industry.
About Brandauer
Brandauer is a precision metal stamping and tooling company based in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Founded in 1862, it manufactures custom stamped metal components and tooling for global customers. The company supplies parts for automotive, electronics, industrial, and engineered product markets. Its customers include original equipment manufacturers and contract manufacturers that require high-precision components. Brandauer provides services that include design support, prototyping, in-house toolmaking, precision stamping, and component logistics. Manufacturing, tooling, and engineering operations are centralized at its Birmingham facility. Brandauer also takes part in workforce development and tooling skills initiatives.