About us
A global leader in weld automation, positioning and precision engineering solutions Industries we serveProducts
RENT/HIRE
PROJECT WORK
Welding automation experts
Key Plant is a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of welding automation, handling & positioning equipment, robotic welding cells and bespoke turnkey solutions.
Built to last. Made to perform.
Since our inception in 1956, Key Plant has built a catalogue of innovative and accomplished products, along with exclusive engineering solutions for customers all over the world. We cover a wide and diverse sector range; that include industries such as; the shipbuilding, automotive, power generation and defence sectors.
With over 60 years of experience; supplying, developing and revising our equipment from the sales of new and refurbished equipment, building our large Key Plant rental department, through to extensive automated turnkey installations. We have developed an acclaimed knowledge and skill base that is second to none in the industry.
We have offices and manufacturing facilities in the UK and North America, as well as distributors throughout Europe and the Middle East.
Everything you need, direct from the manufacturer
Located in Leek, Staffordshire, UK – our head office and manufacturing facility boasts a 6acre+ site with over 100,000sq ft of in-house factory capabilities.
We purchased the site in 2001 from F. Bode & Son who had ceased trading, included in the sale; was the complete stock of the stores, every jig and fixture, machines tools and fabrication equipment.
Key Plant is the only major UK manufacturer of weld automation and positioning equipment.
We have full control of production from plate delivery, through to site installation and commissioning. Giving Key Plant the facility, along with its standard equipment, to design and manufacture highly sophisticated heavy engineering machinery – all in house, under one roof.
Innovation
Research & development weld centre.
Our Key Plant head office houses our esteemed research and development weld centre where we design and test specialist machines.
Improving technologies to provide pioneering solutions.
We provide solutions for specific problems, such as; large capacity anti-drift rotators, cladding solutions and deep groove, narrow gap welding.
The R&D centre also extends the possibility for customers, to perform test and weld trials on equipment prior to installation at their facility/location. Operators can also be involved with trials and trained in the use of the equipment.
Committed to excellence
Our drive, passion and commitment has awarded Key Plant the UL/CSA accreditation for Factory Automation Equipment. We are the first and only company in the world to have achieved the UL Certificate, allowing us to deliver to highly specific markets.
Leading industry experts
Key Plant continually invests in new plant equipment, the latest CNC machinery and the modernising of its manufacturing process, to optimise our efficiency and productivity. Other focuses are made in acquiring key personnel; developing their knowledge, expertise, and utilising this asset to its full potential for the benefit of our customers.
Further investments in the latest design and HMI technologies, have improved the capabilities of Key Plant, to design challenging complex machinery to meet the rigorous demands of our expanding customer base.
Key Plant usa
North America’s fastest growing weld automation sales, rental and integration company
With our fast-growing USA customer portfolio – In 2020, Key Plant opened a 60,000sq ft manufacturing and assembly facility in Houston, Texas.
Our North America location, optimises our ability to fulfil the needs of our US customers and their welding automation requirements, even easier.
Fully equipped and staffed by some of America’s leading experts in the industry – Our North America hub provides sales, rental and lease, as well as customisable turnkey packages; of our welding automation, handling and positioning equipment, and our pipe fabrication product range.
A demo showroom and training school is also located at the facility.
Who we serve
Key Plant supply welding automation, handling & positioning equipment, robotic welding cells and turnkey installations to a wide and diverse range of industries and sectors.
PRESSURE VESSELS AND PIPELINE MANUFACTURERS
GAS AND MINING
GENERAL FABRICATION AND STRUCTURAL STEEL SUPPLIERS
TRANSPORTATONINCLUDING EARTH MOVERS AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY
SHIPBUILDING
OFFSHORE, OIL AND CLADDING INSTALLATIONS
AUTOMOTIVE
POWER GENERATIONINCLUDING WIND, NUCLEAR, WATER AND COAL ENERGY
AEROSPACE
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
THEME PARKS AND ENTERTAINMENT
DEFENCE AND AID
PRESSURE VESSELS AND PIPELINE MANUFACTURERS
GAS AND MINING
GENERAL FABRICATION AND STRUCTURAL STEEL SUPPLIERS
TRANSPORTATON
INCLUDING EARTH MOVERS AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY
SHIPBUILDING
OFFSHORE, OIL AND CLADDING INSTALLATIONS
AUTOMOTIVE
POWER GENERATIONINCLUDING WIND, NUCLEAR, WATER AND COAL ENERGY
AEROSPACE
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
THEME PARKS AND ENTERTAINMENT
DEFENCE AND AID
Process of excellence
All manufacturing in house, under one roof.
Durable, strong, efficient and safe. We look beyond the finish line, making sure that all our equipment is designed and manufactured to the highest quality.
1. Design stage
2. Steel Cutting
3. Fabrication
4. Welding
5. Machining
6. Steel Preparation
7. Painting
8. Assembly
9. Electrics
10. Testing
11. On-Site Customer Commissioning
12. Another Happy Customer
1. Design stage
2. Steel Cutting
3. Fabrication
4. Welding
5. Machining
6. Steel Preparation
7. Painting
8. Assembly
9. Electrics
10. Testing
11. On-Site Customer Commissioning
12. Another Happy Customer
leadership
Forward thinking experts
Key Plant draws on unrivalled industry knowledge and expertise, to help our customers compete at the highest level.