Hozelock invest 1m in AutoReel and hose production

A 1m investment in state-of-the-art plant at Hozelock’s 33,400 sq m Midpoint Park factory in Birmingham will enable the market-leading garden watering equipment manufacturer to achieve record delivery times for its premium hose systems, including the new 30m and 40m  AutoReels with automatic hose rewind.

The new wall-mounted AutoReel models require the largest moulded casings over 60cm in diameter ever made by the company and a new   87-ton Demag Systec 1300T injection moulding machine affords an enhanced production capability of over 1800 of these components per 24-hour cycle.

Unveiled recently to visiting delegates from the Horticultural Trades Association Contact 2011 conference, the imposing Demag Systec 1300T   is the size of a double decker bus 14.3m long, 3.7m wide and 2.9m high with a shot weight of up to 5,220grms and a linked ATM ES3000 

HS robot capable of lifting 40kgs. Complete with associated conveyors, sorters and new tooling, the fully automated new Demag will also   support future new product development at Midpoint Park: its larger   tools and greater number of impressions increasing capacity without  the need for additional machines.

At the same time, Hozelock has enhanced its hose production lines with  the addition of new braiders, printers and extrusion equipment to support the introduction of its new 2011 high quality hose range and further accelerate response times.

The company is shortly due to announce details of a new 1.5m marketing communications investment, including a national TV and press advertising campaign for the AutoReel.