British-based Fortress Technology continues to move forward with its ambitions to be the respected leader in the supply of metal detection systems, reporting a 35% year-on-year rise in revenue
A wholly owned subsidiary of the privately owned Canadian parent company, Fortress entered the UK market in 1999 and in less than two decades has cemented its industry reputation as proactive innovator that offers reliable, upgradable inspection kit, frequently winning ambitious projects with leading food producers.
At the PPMA Group awards 2016, Fortress received a high commendation in the competitive Most Innovative Machine category for its most recent breakthrough – the multi-lane, multi-aperture metal detector.
Serving the UK, European, India, Pakistan, Gulf States and South African markets, the Banbury-based company reported a sales rise in all of its products, including its metal detector range, bespoke systems and after sales support. “The UK was by far where we experienced the largest growth, signalling that food manufacturers are reinvesting in well-engineered inspection systems with personalised after-sales support,” reflects managing director Sarah Ketchin. As testimony, manufacturing output of Fortress machines for the 12 months was up 50% and following the successful PPMA TOTAL 2016 exhibition, new orders continue to come in thick and fast, including a number of enquires for the latest multi-lane multi-aperture metal detector range launched at the show.
Rather than selling one off machines, Fortress has observed a marked trend in the UK market for multiple unit orders, for example five or more systems. Over 20% of the equipment Fortress supplied to food factories last year was customised, indicating that demand for bespoke systems is also rising. What’s also evident is how much customers value Fortress’s never obsolete promise. For the duration of the equipment’s lifespan, Fortress offers a guaranteed upgrade path for all Stealth, Phantom and Interceptor models, ensuring compliance with changing retailer Codes of Practice.
Even with the most complex application, Fortress never compromises on performance or metal detection sensitivity adds Phil Brown, Sales Director. “We have carved out a reputation for offering reliable and innovative kit that is competitively priced with a quicker return on investment. For example, our new multi-aperture range improves total cost of ownership (TCO) by over 65%. That is because there’s just one system to maintain and manage.” Likewise, the new-generation Interceptor range, which also launched in the last financial year, marked a step change in the technology of metal detection for the inspection of challenging wet and conductive products, such as bread, dairy and meat.
“This year we have focused on reinvesting in the business, developing cutting-edge technology, increasing our headcount and upgrading our internal IT systems to advance our customer service experience,” emphasises Sarah.
To accommodate this increase in market share, Fortress bolstered the workforce by 23%, appointing more engineers to build the metal detectors and ancillary systems. An additional workshop unit was also added, virtually doubling Fortress’s manufacturing footprint in Banbury.
Experienced customer service professional Sarah Mahony, joined the company in May to head up the customer service team, while new Export Sales Manager Kati Hope received her induction to the sector at the PPMA TOTAL show. Both bring a fresh perspective to their respective leadership roles, which is already proving to be a benefit to customers, observes Sarah Ketchin.
“When you are entrenched in an industry, it can be challenging to see new opportunities,” says Sarah Mahony who previously worked in the energy environment managing a large number of people. “Coming from outside the sector means I’ve been very open to asking questions. I’ve spent the last six months going out on site visits, building a good rapport with customers and really listening to their feedback. It’s been a valuable exercise. Fortress customers certainly value having a central point of contact, and benefit from the way our service engineers, production and finance teams resolve even the smallest niggles in a coordinated way.”
New export manager Kati concurs. “During times of economic uncertainty, a fresh outlook is crucial. Fortress’s growth means that the company is in a strong position to expand its international distribution network and identify new export channels, and that is my focus building up to Interpack 2017.” Since graduating in politics and languages, Kati has worked in international sales for a chemical maintenance manufacturer and was an international trade adviser for UKTI.
Landmark product launches in the last 12 months underpin Fortress’s technology prowess, which since inception has focused on giving food manufacturers metal detectors a highly effective and cost-effective means of ensuring optimal food safety and quality control on their packaging lines. “This has been yet again a record breaking year for Fortress. Our strategy moving forward is to continue reinvesting in the business and applying our commercial foresight and knowledge of industry trends to give customers the equipment, service support and advice they need to safeguard their brand reputation.”
Fortress will be exhibiting its Interceptor machine, a twin-lane multi-aperture metal detector, and Halo 2 automatic test technology at Interpack, hall 17, stand B42, showcasing to potential distributors the full Fortress package and learning how the market for metal detection is evolving on the continent. The company is also a headline sponsor of the BRC Food Safety Europe 2017 conference on Tuesday 7th February in London.
Fortress Technology contact:
T+44 (0)1295 256266
E sales-uk@fortresstechnology.com
W www.fortresstechnology.co.uk
Fortress Technology
- 01295 256266
- sales-UK@fortresstechnology.com
- http://www.fortresstechnology.com
- Phantom Bldg, Beaumont Road, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 1RH GB
About us
Fortress Technology began its humble beginnings in 1996 believing that through superior product design and engineering the production of higher quality equipment with better sensitivities could be achieved. The phenomenal market response to the Fortress Phantom line of metal detectors has validated that belief and the philosophy on which it is based… simple operation, outstanding reliability, and exceptional performance. Over the years, Fortress has blossomed into a global enterprise with main offices in Canada, the UK, and Brazil serving North America, Europe, and Latin America. Their valued representatives provide cost effective and customised inspection solutions to customers’ worldwide.
Where we supply to
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater
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Episode 1: Food Safety Programs
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Episode 2: 'Inspecting' Metal Detector and X-Ray Technology
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Stealth Metal Detector - Acceptable Setup
