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Discover how EU Automation sourced and delivered a 385 kg Siemens Masterdrive from France to Middlesbrough within just 36 hours.
Alex Bailey
A critical production line brought to a standstill
A 385 kg Siemens Masterdrive transported by chartered flight
The replacement delivered within 36 hours of confirmation
I received an urgent request from Biffa Polymers after a critical Siemens Masterdrive failed at its facility in Middlesbrough.
The 315 kW vector control converter played an essential role in the company’s production process. When it stopped working, production came to a complete standstill, employees were sent home and the business began losing tens of thousands of pounds for every hour the plant remained offline.
The customer needed more than someone who could simply quote for a replacement. They needed someone who understood the urgency of the situation and could find a way to get the right part to them as quickly as possible.
“When every hour of downtime is costing a customer tens of thousands of pounds, simply finding the part is not enough. You have to do everything possible to get it into their hands.”
This was not a small or easily transportable component. The Siemens Masterdrive weighed approximately 385 kg and was roughly the size of a single wardrobe.
The drive had also entered the manufacturer’s cancellation phase. Although it was still technically possible to order one through standard channels, the expected lead time would have left the customer facing prolonged downtime and significant further losses.
We needed to find a unit in new condition and ready to move immediately.
"Find out how I helped deliver a 385 kg Siemens Masterdrive across Europe to get a customer’s production back up and running."
Alex Bailey
Through our global supplier network, we found a suitable Siemens Masterdrive in new condition in France.
One of my French-speaking colleagues supported the communication and helped us confirm the unit’s specification and availability without unnecessary delays. It was a genuine team effort, with everyone understanding the impact that every additional hour would have on the customer.
The order was confirmed at 11:50 pm that same evening. Rather than waiting until the following morning, we continued working into the night to secure the drive and put the logistics in place.
Standard road freight would not have been fast enough, so we arranged a chartered flight to transport the unit from France to Birmingham Airport. From there, it was taken directly to the customer’s facility in Middlesbrough.
“The order was confirmed in the evening, but nobody treated that as the end of the working day. We knew what was at stake, so we kept working until the solution was in motion.”
The replacement Siemens Masterdrive reached the customer within 36 hours of the order being confirmed.
Despite the rarity of the unit, its cancellation status and the challenge of moving a 385 kg component across Europe, we were able to provide a solution that helped the customer begin restoring production far sooner than conventional manufacturer lead times would have allowed.
What stands out to me most is how many people came together to make it happen. It required specialist sourcing, multilingual communication, late-night coordination and a dedicated logistics solution, but everybody remained focused on the same goal: getting the customer operational again.
My advice to anyone facing a similar situation is simple: do not wait. Whether production has already stopped or you urgently need a critical component, pick up the phone and speak to EU Automation as soon as possible. Our experience, product knowledge, responsive service and robust global supply network mean we are ready to help when the pressure is at its highest and every hour matters.
When time is critical, our team is ready to help you source the parts you need and keep production moving. Contact us to get started.
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