This year marks the fortieth anniversary of Omega Sinto Foundry Machinery Ltd, a milestone that was celebrated in July with colleagues and associates from around the world.
Having been formed in 1984 as the result of a management buyout from parent company Baker Perkins (BP), Omega Sinto Foundry Machinery Ltd has transformed over the past forty years into a world-leading manufacturer of chemically bonded sand equipment. A series of company expansions, acquisitions and partnerships has enabled the company to adapt and satisfy the growing needs of the global cast metals industry as it transitions into greener production methods to future-proof the sector for future generations.
Building on renowned success as a trailblazer for mixing technology, Omega Sinto now provides an unrivalled range of products and services to foundries in all parts of the world, including sand mixers, mould handling equipment, core making machines, shakeouts, sand reclamation plants and coating plants. The company is also making a global name for itself for turnkey solutions, assisting with layout and design of new foundries on greenfield sites and in the expansion of existing ones.
PIONEERS IN NO-BAKE EQUIPMENT
The Omega 1-series mixer followed the ‘Ribbon Flo’ mixer, which was generally accepted as the first continuous mixer to hit the market. Introduced by parent company Baker Perkins in the 1970s to benefit fast setting furan chemically bonded sand, it was well ahead of its time, employing many state-of-the-art features that are still in use today, such as the introduction of the chemicals from the bottom of the mixing trough and the use of air injection to keep the chemical inlets clear and to atomise the chemicals into the trough – allowing very low chemical addition rates to be achieved.
There was an increasing demand for faster, higher output and easier to clean continuous mixers, so in 1980 BP launched the Omega 2-series mixer which addressed these issues. The Omega 2-series now had an extended output range from 5 tonnes per hour (Omega 21) up to 60 tonnes per hour (Omega 26).
BP next turned its attention to improving the sand reclamation plant and developed the first ‘Alpha’ reclamation plant and ‘G’ type cooler classifier, with its unique copper heat exchanger that is still employed in the coolers today.
Omega Foundry Machinery was formed after the management buyout in 1984 with the first of the range of Spartan continuous mixers being introduced just two years later, providing a more rugged and cost effective solution for foundries.
In the 1990s Omega turned its attention to sand reclamation, with the revolutionary idea of combining a shake-out and attrition unit that could be installed at floor level and so avoid the expensive need for a pit. Thus, the trendsetting Gamma Low Level (LL) attrition range was created.
A further management buyout in 1996 saw Mark Fenyes CEng FICME FIMMM take ownership of the company and drive the progression into mould handling equipment, offering a total package which included carousel, fast loop, manipulators and flood coating units.
Omega next designed and developed a highly innovative system for mould identification, tracking and data logging called IRIS (Intelligent Radio Identification System). This could be installed on any mould handling system and remains an industry leader to this day.
During the early 2000s Omega continued to invest and develop reclamation plants and mixing technology and expanded into new, larger premises in Peterborough (UK).
To satisfy a growing need for 24/hour connectivity and data analysis in the foundry, a web based monitoring system was launched in 2014. Omega Connect enableds Omega Sinto equipment to be monitored and adjusted remotely, providing enormous production and maintenance benefits.
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW
In recent years the company has produced the world’s largest rollover stripping unit, double station automatic mould closers, and mould stacking systems. Further investment in data analytics and connection to intelligent systems is also an important part of the company’s portfolio.
Over the years continued growth has been achieved thanks to investment in homegrown people and technology and strategic gobal collaborations. Tinker Omega LLC was formed in 2001 to serve North America and Mexico; Omega Sane Foundry Machinery PVT Ltd was also formed in 2009 to support sales and service in India; WES Omega Foundry Machinery PTY in 2012 and WES Omega Malaysia joined in 2014 to handle business in Australasia and the Far East; ENDECO Omega (PTY) Ltd formed in 2015 to serve South Africa; Omega Tecnostudio SRL design office in Italy was acquired in 2015. Omega also acquired well-known UK manufacturer of foundry equipment FTL Foundry Equipment to further strengthen their position in the market.
Omega also has representative offices in Turkey and China.
In 2018 Sintokogio Corporation of Nagoya, Japan, acquired a majority interest in the company.
Omega and Sinto had enjoyed a long working relationship together (since 2006) and the move enabled both companies to benefit from an expanded equipment range in the field of chemically bonded sand.
There have been numerous national and international accolades over the years for the company and for individual Omega Sinto employees, including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, along with presentations of technical papers and reports at international foundry congresses to pass on decades of experience to others for the further benefit of the cast metals sector.
A CELEBRATORY EVENT
To mark the fortieth anniversary, the company held a celebratory event alongside the annual sales meeting in the UK. Employees and guests from around the world gathered to join in the celebrations and show their appreciation for the innovations and continuous contributions made by the company to the global foundry family over the years.
Welcoming attendees to the celebrations, CEO Mark Fenyes CEng FICME FIMMM said: “We are proud to have so much equipment in foundries around the world. Our innovations have propelled us to the forefront of industry because of the tenacity and skillset of the people who work for Omega Sinto in all parts of the world and we thank you for your loyalty and service.”
In presenting Fenyes with a commemorative gift, president and executive officer of Sintokogio Ltd, Atsushi (Atchi) Nagai, said: “There are many synergies that we are thankful for. Those who dance and drink together, can also think together.’ A fitting sentiment, as the music and 1980s themed festivities commenced.
Contact: Omega Sinto Foundry Machinery Ltd, Morley Way, Woodston, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE2 7BW, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1733 232231, email: [email protected] web: www.ofml.net