Cairnhill Structures powers up with latest Ficep system investment

Cairnhill Structures, a leader in steel fabrication, has enhanced its production capabilities with the installation of its third Ficep Gemini system at its 150,000 sq ft headquarters in Scotland.

Part of the Watson Towers group, Cairnhill’s latest addition, the powerful Ficep Gemini HD, marks a new milestone in a partnership with Ficep UK that spans over 40 years. One of the first UK companies to invest in a system from Ficep UK, Cairnhill has since integrated six of its systems, including a fully CNC Endeavour and three state-of-the-art Ficep Gemini CNC and plasma machines.

Cairnhill Structures serves sectors where precision is crucial, including nuclear, rail, bridges, and offshore projects. As a Grade 1 Quality Control supplier, the company relies on advanced equipment and reliable service to deliver high quality solutions to meet the exacting requirements of its customers.

The Ficep Gemini HD system is the latest member of the Ficep Gemini family. This powerful multi-purpose system is engineered for high-precision fabrication. Capable of thermal cutting, marking, milling, grinding, and drilling on steel plates up to 200mm thick, it also handles bevel cuts with unmatched accuracy. Its robust construction supports the handling of heavier materials, an essential feature for Cairnhill’s operations.

Steven Hendry, group MD at Cairnhill Structures, says: “Precision and quality are non-negotiable for the industries we serve. When it came to selecting a new system to increase our capacity, the Ficep Gemini HD was a natural choice. Our operators can hit the ground running as they already know the system and we know, from years of working with Ficep UK, that we’ll continue to get the technical support we know Ficep UK deliver. This investment will future-proof our operations for years to come.”

Operating 24/7 alongside Cairnhill’s two existing Gemini systems, the new Gemini HD significantly expands production capacity while introducing enhanced tooling capabilities, including multi-pass bevel cutting, high-speed milling, and precision grinding. The machine’s integrated scribing system ensures traceability for every part, supporting Cairnhill’s rigorous quality assurance standards.

Chris Berriman, sales director at Ficep UK, says: “We’re immensely proud of our ongoing relationship, supplying new innovations to support Cairnhill Structures as it continues to raise the bar in steel fabrication. This latest investment underscores Cairnhill’s commitment to excellence, ensuring it remains a trusted partner for some of the most demanding projects in the steel fabrication industry.”