There’s nothing quite like getting out to see customers face-to-face. Over the past month, the ALPHR team has been travelling across the UK, catching up with some familiar faces and meeting new ones too. These visits are a chance to hear what’s going on in their world, find out where they might be facing challenges, and talk through how automation could make a difference.

Here’s a quick look at who we’ve been to see, and what came out of the conversations.

At Kautex, Darryl spent time with the team talking through their current needs around robot handling and vision inspection. The main focus was on their fuel tank leak testing cells, where there are several automation projects under consideration. It was a really productive session, digging into how automation can be used to make their processes smarter and more reliable.

Darryl also visited Bifrangi, where the manufacturing process is still very manual. They’re looking to change that, and the conversation centred around how robotic automation and advanced vision systems could help improve consistency and take some of the strain off the production line.

Over at Harting, Darryl caught up with the team to discuss what’s effectively a repeat order for a machine we delivered last year. This time, though, they want to push things a bit further by adding another operator position and getting more out of the robot. It’s all about increasing throughput and reducing the amount of time the robot sits idle, a great example of how customers are looking to get more value from the tech they’ve already invested in.

Meanwhile, Tony headed out to Carbolite Gero to get a clearer picture of the challenges they’re facing with end-of-line testing. They’re keen to simplify the process and get tighter control over the aging tests they carry out onsite. The visit was a good chance to listen, ask questions, and start thinking about how we might develop a solution that’s not only technically sound but actually makes life easier for the operators on the ground.

Mark was out visiting ZF, where he took the team through a quotation we’re about to submit. He also spent time learning more about where ALPHR might be able to support them more broadly across their production setup. These conversations are always useful, not just for quoting accurately, but for understanding what’s happening behind the scenes and where we can add real value.

And finally, Mark paid a visit to Eaton, where there was plenty to talk about. They’ve already received a quote from us for a laser marking opportunity, but they’re also planning a new assembly and test line for 2026. It’s great to be brought in this early, so we can help shape the direction from the start rather than coming in at the end to bolt something on.

A Conversation, Not Just a Project

These visits are a big part of how we work. It’s not about selling a machine and walking away, it’s about building relationships, asking the right questions, and finding the right way forward together. Every customer is different, and there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to automation.

If you’d like us to come out and have a chat about where you are and where you’re heading, just get in touch. We’re always up for a cuppa and a good conversation.