en.Wedoany.com Reported - RMP Products has significantly enhanced its steel processing capabilities following an investment in Gemini and Kronos systems from Ficep UK. The West Midlands-based company has thereby doubled its plate processing capacity, improved production efficiency, and established a capacity foundation for future growth.
Based in Aldridge, RMP Products has specialised in precision steel processing for over 30 years, providing profile cutting, machining, and value-added processing services to customers across multiple engineering and manufacturing sectors. This latest investment builds on the long-standing and robust relationship between RMP and Ficep UK. After operating a Ficep Gemini system for approximately 12 years, RMP sought to further enhance its processing capabilities to meet growing customer demand, handle larger plate sizes, and provide greater flexibility in its production operations.
In September 2025, RMP engaged in in-depth discussions with Ficep UK, working closely together to design a solution tailored to RMP's production requirements. The final configuration comprised a Gemini processing system and a Kronos thermal cutting and drilling system operating on a single tandem track. This solution was designed to increase throughput, maximise machine utilisation, and provide additional capacity for future growth.
The tandem layout enables two plates to be processed simultaneously, effectively doubling plate processing efficiency. Additionally, with the systems equipped with a 15-metre by 3-metre processing table, RMP can now handle plates larger than ever before. The Gemini and Kronos systems allow RMP to cut, drill, tap, and etch plates up to 50 mm thick in a single operation. By consolidating multiple processes into a single workflow, these systems reduce material handling, enhance machining accuracy and consistency, shorten production cycles, and help RMP achieve faster delivery times while maintaining the quality standards expected by its customers.
Mark Edwards, Production Director at RMP Products, stated that the company's previous Ficep Gemini system had operated for approximately 12 years with excellent service performance. As the business continued to grow and customer demand increased, the company wanted to invest in additional capacity and flexibility to support the next phase of development. He believes the newly acquired Gemini and Kronos system combination has transformed the company's steel plate processing operations. The tandem operation allows operators to process two plates simultaneously, delivering an immediate doubling of efficiency, while the larger worktable enables the company to meet a broader range of requirements. Operators noticed a significant change in production tempo from the very first day the systems were installed in the workshop.
This investment also reflects a partnership spanning more than 15 years. Richard Clark, Managing Director of Ficep UK, first worked with RMP shortly after joining Ficep as Service Manager in 2015, and has since provided ongoing support as RMP's needs have evolved. Mr. Clark stated that RMP has been an important customer for many years, and the two companies have built a strong relationship based on a deep understanding of each other's business, processes, and shared goals. He noted that when Mark Edwards contacted the company about replacing the existing Gemini system, it was clear that what was needed was not an identical replacement, but rather increased capacity, the ability to process larger plates, and additional flexibility for future growth. By configuring the Gemini processing system and the Kronos thermal cutting and drilling system on a tandem track, Ficep delivered a solution that enables RMP to process two plates simultaneously and perform multiple operations within a single workflow. This is a typical example of providing the right solution by understanding a customer's production challenges. The installation was not a standard configuration, but the teams worked closely together throughout the project, and the system was fully operational exactly as intended within seven weeks.
