The Terminator and Transformers films may have captured the public's imagination, but the UK's only industrial robots manufacturer faces a more down-to-earth problem. Business Editor Ian Griffin reports
For a company which pioneered the development of robotics in the workplace, it is perhaps ironic it struggles to find the people it needs to grow.
ATM Automation, the only producer of industrial robots in the UK, is desperately looking for designers and engineers to create cutting-edge equipment to manufacture new cars and medical products.
The Blaby company, which makes the robots which assemble car parts for Jaguar and Toyota, is aiming to lure skilled staff from big names such as Derby-based Rolls-Royce, which recently announced it was shedding 190 jobs in the city.
Director of robotics Sabir Hirji said: "We are growing faster than we expected, to be honest.
"We have been working with recruitment companies who really don't understand the business because it's really difficult for someone to appreciate what the business is about.
"The people are out there. It's about finding them and turning their heads."
It's a major frustration which threatens to scupper the firm's huge potential.
Founded in 1970 by managing director Robert Hopper's father John as a textile machine manufacturer, in the 1980s the firm was among the first in the UK to design robotics for the production line.
"In the 1990s we developed six-axis robots," said Sabir.
"Because of the increasingly flexible requirements of the manufacturing industry we needed flexible robots.
"Previous to that robots worked in a much more linear way, which were those we built in the 1980s.
"Today, we are one of the sector leaders in supplying the automotive industry. We are also the only company in the UK that manufactures industrial robots."
The company makes robots which assemble parts such as car doors, and then thoroughly checks them to ensure all the wiring and components are in exactly the right place.
The firm's robots also carry out the incredibly fiddly task of making many contact lenses very quickly and very precisely.
It is this level of detail and efficiency which has led to a flurry of orders from parts suppliers working for the likes of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Toyota, Nissan and Honda.
"One of the biggest reasons we are continuing to grow in that industry is because of JLR," said Sabir.
"They are looking to launch 15 cars in five years and they need to mechanise their processes.
"They are looking for better quality sub-chassis. We have involved ourselves in tier one and tier two suppliers."
ATM is also set to benefit from a range of new models at Crewe-based luxury car brand Bentley.
"They have just announced a major expansion, and we are part of it," said Sabir. "They have a number of new cars, including a new four-wheel drive."
He said the increase of new technology within cars meant automated assembly processes needed to be more cutting edge.
"The automotive industry is changing so quickly," said Sabir.
"You just look at what you can see in the new cars. I'm not surprised any more what I see in new cars. The use of the internet in cars is so advanced."
ATM is currently looking for 10 new staff to add to its workforce of 60, who are based at its main factory unit in Winchester Avenue, Blaby Industrial Park, and another in Lutterworth Road, Cosby.
"Our assets are our designers and engineers, said Sabir.
"We have 15 research and development staff who are basically boffins and inventors. When a customer comes in with a problem they have to manufacture something.
"We are looking to recruit more research and development people, machine builders and engineers. We need inventors who invent new things.
"What we do has never been done before. When we build a new thing they need to change and improve it. That needs to take months to get it right."
ATM's turnover in the year to May 30, 2015, will be about £7 million. This is expected to increase to £10 million the following year.
The past few years has seen rapid growth, with turnover at £3 million in 2011.
As well as automotive, the firm also makes robotics for the medical sector, such as producers of diagnostic equipment, contact lenses and colostomy bags.
Machines are also made for food production and plastics firms, with the three sectors each making up about a third of the turnover.
About 30 per cent of ATM's products are exported, evenly split between China, Singapore and Malaysia, with a particular focus on the medical sector.
Sabir said the even spread of customers was the result of managing the constant peaks and troughs of each sector over the years.
"You'd see the decline of the automotive industry, but the growth of the medical industry," he said.
"The following year you'd see the decline of the medical industry and automotive growing again. We then noticed the automotive industry peaked every seven years. So, we were able to work around that to maintain a constant level of output.
"But what we have seen after 2012 is the automotive industry grew and the medical industry grew as well.
"After the financial crash a lot of companies sold off their plants and stock and cut back on investment. However, the demand has always been there.
"There has since been more forward thinking about growth coupled with investing in the creation of new models. And those new models need specially-made robots, which need skilled staff to make them."
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Sabir Hirji, director of robotics at ATM Automation, started at the company in 1980.
"Both myself and Robert (Hopper, managing director and the son of founder John) started at the same time and have worked together since," he said.
The company began in 1970 as American Textile Machines, making textile machines with the backing of a US company.
As well as seeking experienced, skilled staff, ATM is keen to develop staff in-house.
Apprentice Michael Quinney, 19, left, of Leicester city centre, has been with the business for three-and-a-half years.
"I enjoy it because you don't do the same thing every day," he said. "We do machines for the automotive, medical and food industries.
"I'm always going back to my dad and showing him what I'm building. It's not your everyday job."
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ATM has brought in Leicester recruitment specialist ER Recruitment to help it find skilled staff.
Eileen Richards, owner of ER, said: "Working in partnership with ATM is really exciting.
"The directors are experienced engineers who truly understand the business, and this not only makes them leaders within their industry but also attracts and maintain some very high profile clients. Our role is to work with ATM, helping to raise their profile and attract the best candidates that want to be part of an innovative, well-established growing business.
"We are using various methods including, local universities, the Army and traditional agencies to find the right candidates."
Eileen can be contacted on:
er@eileenrichards.co.uk
![ATM Automation, the UK's only maker of industrial robots, is struggling to find skilled staff]( "ATM Automation, the UK's only maker of industrial robots, is struggling to find skilled staff")
