Founded in 1989 with just two members of staff, Greenfield Engineering has evolved into a prestigious contract manufacturing business, supplying fine-limit sheet metal products to high-end clients across the UK. Operating from two sites totalling close to 100,000 ft² of floor space, the company’s ethos of continuous investment in its valued staff, comprehensive accreditations and state-of-the-art AMADA manufacturing technology sets this progressive business apart. Greenfield’s latest substantial investments include two additional advanced- specification AMADA automated machines, one for laser profiling and the other for punching (both with automated sheet storage), as the company further expands its capacity. The company is also adopting the latest AMADA software solutions.
Positioning itself to deliver a customer-driven, partner-based approach, Greenfield Engineering has built a reputation for producing high-precision sheet metal manufactured components, sub-assemblies and fully integrated finished-engineered products. The company’s key objective remains clearly defined: to maintain its position as the market leader in close-tolerance sheet metal contract fabrication.
Greenfield Engineering’s commitment to embracing advanced automated machinery elevates customer confidence and ensures cost efficiency. Demonstrating this philosophy is the arrival, in December 2024, of an AMADA VENTIS-3015AJ 4kW CNC fibre laser cutter with ASLUL twin-tower automation and an AMADA EM-3612MKII CNC punch press with ASIII MP tower. Supporting these new additions, the company is transitioning to AMADA VPSS4ie Blank and Bend software packages and becoming the first UK company to integrate AMADA’s new LIVLOTS monitoring software.
At the core of LIVLOTS is its ability to integrate and manage the entire production workflow seamlessly and digitally—from order intake to final product delivery. The software streamlines operations, reduces inefficiencies and optimises resource allocation in real-time, enabling significant productivity gains and cost savings.
“Our new cutting-edge machines, automation and software represent a substantial capital investment with AMADA,” states company founder and director Frank Green. We already have an impressive portfolio of automated AMADA machines, but we’re not replacing any of this equipment - the new machines are all additional capacity. Our markets are extremely buoyant and the business is in a strong position.”
He continues: “Our growth feels like all our long-term strategies and investments are paying dividends. Nothing will stop this single-minded focus. Keep an eye on Greenfield Engineering's trajectory. If you’re impressed with what we're doing today, wait until you see what we have planned a year from now!”
The AMADA LIVLOTS software is set to revolutionise capacity planning and work scheduling in Greenfield Engineering's manufacturing processes, automatically boosting efficiency, reducing waste and driving cost savings across its operations.
“Open book costing is pivotal in our approach to customer partnerships as we build on complete transparency and alignment,” explains Frank. “If requested, we assess early-stage projects with our design team to value-engineer projects or introduce new concepts, removing any unnecessary costs without compromising product functionality or performance. Our investment in the latest manufacturing technologies ensures we share savings with our clients for the benefit of all.”
A notable strength of Greenfield Engineering is its multiple accreditations, reinforcing its commitment to operational processes. In early 2024, the company added EcoVadis—the internationally recognised gold standard in sustainability ratings—to established certifications such as ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001 (via business activities). Greenfield Engineering has also held Zero Waste to Landfill since 2016 to support the ongoing control of its operational impact on the environment.
“Sustainability is the future for manufacturing, and it’s been part of our business philosophy for years, long before it became a hot topic,” Frank says. “EcoVadis provides rigorous, third-party independent external assessment of our year-on-year carbon emission improvements, and our corporate and social responsibilities. It even filters down to include our supply chains. We’re proud of our first year, ranking among the top 35% of companies assessed.”
Greenfield Engineering’s sustainability initiatives include the use of energy-efficient compressors, phosphate removal in powder coating pretreatment, photovoltaic solar panels, interior LED lighting throughout the facilities, solar-powered lights for the external car park and site, electric vehicle charging points for staff and suppliers, and waterless urinals for staff. This ecological mindset also extends to its manufacturing technology, with AMADA innovations already reducing the company’s machine energy consumption.
“Many companies are drawn to purchasing the highest-power laser machines on offer, but these consume more energy, often unnecessarily. It's almost like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut,” says Frank. “AMADA’s detailed and comprehensive approach was to run time trials on our material range. These evaluations helped us identify the optimal ratio of cutting performance to power (kW) consumption for our material types and thickness. The new 4kW machine aligns perfectly with our focus on manufacturing high-precision, fine-limit components competitively.”
With the addition of ASLUL twin-tower automation, Greenfield Engineering will achieve true 24/7 production, as production manager Lee Harris confirms: “Our new VENTIS laser cell will be a major game changer for the business, creating additional capacity. The automation will really pay dividends after evening shifts finish, operating through nights and weekends with minimal-to-no staff intervention.”
Greenfield Engineering couples extraordinary, detailed manufacturing expertise with a commitment to recruiting and training high-quality engineers via internal and external training sources and the apprentice route. “We recruit four to five apprentices annually,” says Frank. “This ensures long-term business continuity and supports the next generation of engineers in building rewarding careers in manufacturing.”
He adds: “Our staff, customers and suppliers form an important tripod upon which we base our success. Take any one away, and the tripod fails and falls. AMADA totally understands this strategy, placing them ahead of other suppliers. Their focus on customer service and technical support is just phenomenal and truly world class. Our commitment to AMADA is without question unwavering; we exclusively use AMADA machines, tooling and software, giving us the total package.”
As a major provider of manufactured and integrated sheet metal products, Greenfield Engineering’s reputation for excellence continues to expand. Products include high- end office furniture, industrial storage systems, commercial lighting, telecom equipment, retail point-of-sale systems, refrigeration equipment, vending machine components, HVAC systems, electrical enclosures, laboratory cabinets and partitioning systems, among others.
“We aim to be best-in-class for our clients,” Frank concludes. “We leverage our position with customers via the technology we use.
Selling our services and promoting our AMADA equipment ultimately helps us win new business because of AMADA’s market reputation. We continually focus on the attitude that we’re only as good as our last delivery, so we don't ever get complacent.
Our goal is to remain humble and customer-focused as we strive to be world class and deliver added- value, high-quality sheet metal solutions. But we don’t want to self-proclaim how good we are; we want our customers to say it.”
