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The
original company was formed in 1946 under the title The Scale Model
Equipment Company Limited to manufacture scale models and detail
parts for the model engineering trade. During the 1950's movement was
away from model making to precision engineering, principally parts
for aircraft instruments and business machines.
In
1959 Alastair Robertson-Aikman, the Company's founder, required a
pick-up arm for his own use and an experimental model was built. It
received such an enthusiastic reception from friends in the sound
industry that it was decided to produce it commercially and the first
SME precision pick-up arm appeared in September 1959. Production was
25 units per week composed entirely of individually machined
components. At this time a new factory situated in Mill Road,
Steyning was opened and the Company's name was changed to SME
Limited, a less committal title to suit its new activities.
SME
now has over 60 years experience in high quality precision
engineering and the Company's plant at Steyning is now probably the
largest and best equipped devoted to the manufacture of precision
pick-up arms and turntables.
To
maintain the very high standards of quality all manufacture and
processing is carried out 'in house'. Facilities commence with design
and toolmaking through all aspects of manufacturing including CNC
machining, pressure die-casting, injection moulding, metal finishing,
electro-plating, anodising and many other processes.
Inspection
at every stage of manufacture and assembly is particularly critical
and ensures the consistent standards for which the Company's products
are noted. In 1992 our quality assurance system was formally
accredited under BS EN ISO 9001.
The
present manufacturing programme consists of four precision
turntables and twelve standard pick-up arms which together with
special models offer a very wide range of application.SME precision
pick-up arms are exported to almost every country of the world and
are available through agents supported by direct service from the
factory to the customer. |
