WASTE RECYCLING
Master Magnets brand celebrates 40 years at forefront of metal separation industry
IN OCTOBER, Master Magnets brand celebrated its 40th anniversary. In that time, the Birmingham-based magnetic separator and metal detector manufacturer has developed a reputation as one of the leading technology companies in the recycling, mining and mineral processing industrial sectors.
Since January 2017, the Master Magnets brand has been owned by Bunting Magnetics. Bunting is one of the world’s leading suppliers of magnet- related technology. Bunting’s European manufacturing headquarters is based in Hertfordshire, and they have an extensive overseas network of distributors.
Master Magnets was founded in 1978 by Geoff Worley, a qualified engineer with fifteen years’ experience in the magnetics industry. The company grew throughout the 1980s despite the economic challenges and was perfectly positioned for increased demand during the early 1990s.
At the time, there was high levels of investment in the UK coal industry and globally-located mineral processing projects. Geoff and his team of engineers developed a range of magnetic separators specifi cally for those key industries. For the coal and mining industries, they developed large Electro Suspension Magnets, which would be suspended over conveyors to remove large tramp metal such as pit props and bars. The drive in mineral processing was for higher purity non-metallic minerals. The team designed the Induced Roll Magnetic Separator (IMR) and established a laboratory where clients could test materials. As demand increased, the company expanded and made investments in new manufacturing technology including
(LEFT) Adrian Coleman with Simon Ayling
heavy-winding gear for ever-larger Electro Suspension Magnets. A bespoke super- strength magnetiser, weighing over 14 tonnes, was acquired, one of the largest of its kind in the world. Master Magnets developed a reputation for manufacturing Permanent Overband Magnets. Recycling was in its infancy, but several UK businesses were developing large mobile screens and crushers for construction and demolition sites. Master Magnets worked with these companies to develop a compact Overband Magnet that needed limited power – with the only power required being for the belt operation which was done hydraulically or electrically. Master Magnets continue to be one of the world’s largest producers of the Permanent Overband Magnet. The Master Magnets brand became globally recognisable as export sales increased. In 2003, Master Magnets acquired the company Integrated Recycling Systems and relocated to Redditch. Further acquisition took place
in 2005 with the purchase of the Metal Detection business. This further expanded their manufacturing portfolio. Customers were now able to purchase their metal separation and detection solution from one supplier. Master Magnets continued to evolve and expand. Worley took partial retirement and handed the reigns of the business to Adrian Coleman. Coleman had started his career at Master Magnets in 1984 as an apprentice and witnessed the evolution of the company.
Coleman said: “Master Magnets gave me the opportunity to
develop my engineering career. In 1988, they supported me
through a four-year Mechanical Engineering course at
Birmingham University. This gave me the necessary engineering
skills to join the design offi ce. As the company grew, I took up the position of Production Manager, before becoming Managing Director in 2008.”
In 2017, Worley agreed to sell the Master Magnets business to Bunting Magnetics. He foresaw the investment needed to maintain Master Magnets’ reputation as a global leader and identifi ed Bunting as the ideal partner. Coleman was appointed as the General Manager, an important step that ensured business continuity.
Simon Ayling, Bunting Magnetics Europe’s Managing Director, said: “Master Magnets has developed a long-standing strong identity and reputation as a leader in metal separation technology.
“The acquisition means we can invest in their manufacturing facility in Birmingham and in the development of new separation technology.”
MASTER Magnets Overband Magnet 32 SHWM November, 2018
(LEFT) GEOFF Worley with Adrian Coleman in 2008
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