Bunting Wraps Up a Successful 2019: A Year of Strategic Growth and Magnetic Innovation

2019 marked a transformational year for Bunting, as the company unified its global brands, expanded key facilities, and strengthened its position as a leading provider of magnetic separation, metal detection, and material handling solutions serving multiple industries worldwide.

Through strategic rebranding, investments in manufacturing capacity, and a renewed focus on customer experience, Bunting entered the new decade as a more integrated, agile, and customer‑centric magnetic technology partner.

From Separate Companies to One Global Magnetic Force

After six decades of growth, Bunting moved decisively in 2019 to align historically separate business units under a single, powerful global identity focused on magnetic technology and separation equipment.

This shift clarified the brand for customers, simplified communication, and highlighted the company’s ability to deliver complete solutions across regions and industries.

Rebranding Key Locations and Business Units

Time did move on in 2019, and Bunting used that momentum to complete the transition to unified site names that reflect a cohesive global organization.

Several long‑established businesses adopted new names that clearly connect them to the Bunting brand and their geographic locations.

– Bunting Magnetics Co. became Bunting‑Newton and Bunting‑Elk Grove Village.

– Magnet Applications, Inc. became Bunting‑DuBois.

– Master Magnets Ltd became Bunting‑Redditch.

– Bunting Magnetics Europe Ltd. finished its rebranding as Bunting‑Berkhamsted.

These changes make it easier for customers to recognize which facility specializes in which products and services, while maintaining consistency across the global network.

A Single Logo and the GLOBAL. MAGNETIC. FORCE. Tagline

The famous Bunting Magnetics globe logo, along with the logos of Master Magnets and Magnet Applications, were retired in favor of one modern, unified mark ready to become as well known as its predecessors.

This updated visual identity is anchored by the bold tagline: GLOBAL. MAGNETIC. FORCE.

– “Global” reflects the reach of Bunting’s manufacturing sites, sales offices, and customer support teams across North America and Europe.

– “Magnetic” emphasizes deep expertise in permanent magnets, magnetic separation, and metal detection technologies.

– “Force” highlights both the physical power of magnetic technology and the company’s drive to innovate, solve problems, and improve customer processes.

As the company put it: We started 2019 as separate companies and ended the year as one. One brand. One focus. That focus is delivering reliable, high‑performance magnetic solutions that protect product quality, increase yield, and reduce downtime.

Strategic Planning and a Vision for the Next Five Years

Rebranding was only one piece of Bunting’s 2019 story. Internally, the company laid out a clear roadmap for the early 2020s through robust sales planning and a refreshed long‑term strategy.

The New Year was set to be exciting, with the 2020 sales budget and an updated five‑year strategic plan already established by the close of 2019.

Aligning Growth with Customer Needs

By pairing its new brand identity with disciplined planning, Bunting positioned itself to invest in the areas that matter most to customers—capacity, lead times, equipment performance, and technical support.

The strategic plan emphasizes sustainable growth through technology, operational excellence, and strengthening regional coverage, particularly in export markets.

Translating Strategy into Operational Projects

High‑level plans quickly translated into tangible projects in 2019, including building expansions, workflow improvements, and new testing capabilities.

These initiatives are designed to give customers faster access to solutions, more customization options, and better data when choosing separation and detection equipment.

Facility Expansions: Building Capacity for the Future

To support increasing demand and more complex projects, Bunting invested significantly in its facilities, particularly at Bunting‑Redditch and Bunting‑Berkhamsted.

These upgrades reflect a long‑term commitment to manufacturing excellence and customer responsiveness.

Major Building Expansion at Bunting‑Redditch

A major building expansion at Bunting‑Redditch was announced, significantly increasing production space and office capacity.

The project includes a 50% expansion of the manufacturing area, enabling the site to handle larger systems, higher order volumes, and more sophisticated engineering projects.

In addition, a full third‑floor office addition is being constructed to house engineering, project management, and support staff.

Part of the shop expansion required the demolition of existing office areas, allowing more of the building footprint to be dedicated to production while the new third floor accommodates growing teams.

Work on the expansion began with a targeted completion date of August 2020, positioning Bunting‑Redditch to serve as a flagship site for advanced magnetic separation solutions in Europe.

Upgrades and Improvements at Bunting‑Berkhamsted

Bunting‑Berkhamsted, another key UK location, completed an exterior upgrade, modernizing the appearance of the facility and improving its overall presence.

A 2020 schedule was also established to deliver interior improvements, aimed at creating a more efficient and visitor‑friendly environment for customer meetings, design reviews, and project collaboration.

These facility enhancements support smoother workflows, better employee ergonomics, and a stronger impression when customers visit the site to review equipment or discuss new projects.

Lean Transformation and Operational Excellence

Alongside physical expansions, Bunting focused heavily on lean manufacturing and 5S to increase efficiency, improve quality, and reduce waste across its operations.

These initiatives are critical for delivering high‑performance magnetic equipment on time and at a competitive cost.

Lean Deployment at the Newton 500 Building

At the Newton 500 Building, Bunting launched several lean‑focused changes under the guidance of Lean Deployment Leader Rob Clausing and a selected internal team.

A key initiative is the relocation of the magnet cylinder assembly area closer to the machine shop to reduce unnecessary movement and handling.

By shortening the distance between machining and assembly, Bunting aims to save steps, compress lead times, and reduce the risk of damage or delays between stages.

To enable this new layout, demolition of the existing 500 Building shop washrooms was started, freeing up space for a more streamlined process flow.

Lean and 5S at Bunting‑Elk Grove Village

Bunting‑Elk Grove Village had already undergone a significant transformation through lean and 5S principles before 2019, setting an example for other sites in the network.

This included organizing work areas for clarity and safety, implementing visual management, standardizing processes, and removing non‑value‑added activities.

The success of Elk Grove Village demonstrates how structured continuous improvement can increase throughput, improve quality, and enhance employee engagement at the same time.

Early Automation at Bunting‑DuBois

Bunting‑DuBois entered the early stages of automating its manufacturing area, marking another important step towards operational excellence.

The site’s machine shop was relocated to create room for an internal automation center designed to house up to two custom‑manufactured machines for a specific customer.

This new automation space lays the groundwork for more consistent production, better cycle times, and the ability to deliver specialized magnet applications at higher volumes and tighter tolerances.

For customers, this means improved reliability, repeatability, and scalability for critical magnet components and assemblies.

The Bunting Customer Experience Center: A Dedicated Testing and Demonstration Hub

One of the most forward‑looking projects highlighted in 2019 is the transformation of the Newton 600 Building into the Bunting Customer Experience Center.

This facility is designed as a dedicated environment for live equipment demonstrations, customer material testing, and research and development activities.

From Show Equipment to a Full Experience Center

Over the past two years, Bunting used the Newton 600 Building to display show equipment, conduct demonstrations, and perform customer testing on real materials.

The enthusiastic response from visitors and the clear benefits of hands‑on testing convinced Bunting to formalize and expand the concept into a full Customer Experience Center.

Plans were put in place to carry out interior demolition and upgrades that will:

– Create dedicated customer testing areas for all major Bunting product lines.

– Establish an active trade‑show‑style display where equipment can be seen operating under realistic conditions.

– Set up a robust R&D area for new product trials, prototype evaluation, and performance comparison.

This purposeful design ensures that visitors, from plant engineers to company executives, can see equipment perform, test their own materials, and gather data in a controlled, well‑instrumented environment.

Why Customer Testing Is Critical in Magnetic Separation

In applications such as mining, ceramics, food processing, plastics recycling, and pharmaceuticals, magnetic separation and metal detection performance is highly dependent on the actual material being processed.

Variables such as particle size, bulk density, moisture content, throughput, and line configuration all influence how effective a magnet or detector will be in removing contamination.

A dedicated Customer Experience Center delivers several vital benefits:

– Accurate performance data tailored to the customer’s specific product, not just generic test samples.

– Reduced project risk by validating separation and detection effectiveness before full‑scale installation.

– Optimized equipment selection and configuration, including magnet strength, geometry, mounting location, and integration with existing plant layouts.

For decision‑makers, this translates into higher confidence, better return on investment, and fewer surprises during commissioning and long‑term operation.

How 2019 Initiatives Translate into Customer Value

While the original focus of the 2019 recap was internal progress, every initiative ultimately aims to improve results for Bunting’s customers in real industrial environments.

By expanding facilities, optimizing layouts, and investing in testing capability, Bunting ensures that its magnetic solutions solve practical problems on the plant floor.

Faster Delivery and Higher Project Capacity

The expansion at Bunting‑Redditch and improvements at other facilities increase total manufacturing capacity and flexibility.

With more space, better layouts, and expanded teams, Bunting can take on larger projects, produce more equipment in parallel, and respond more quickly to urgent customer needs.

Customers benefit from shorter lead times, improved on‑time delivery performance, and the ability to support global rollouts of standard designs across multiple plants.

More Accurate Equipment Selection Through Testing

The Bunting Customer Experience Center offers a way to validate design assumptions, compare product options, and quantify performance before investing in new systems.

By sending materials for testing or visiting in person, customers can see how different magnetic separation or metal detection solutions perform under realistic conditions.

This reduces guesswork, ensures better alignment between equipment capability and process requirements, and helps justify capital expenditures with objective data and test reports.

Enhanced Reliability, Safety, and Compliance

Improved manufacturing practices, including lean, 5S, and early automation, contribute directly to product consistency and quality.

Better‑built magnets, detectors, and handling systems are more reliable, require less maintenance, and deliver more stable performance over time.

For sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, and high‑purity ceramics, this reliability supports compliance with strict safety and quality standards while minimizing waste and customer complaints.

Strengthening Export Sales and European Coverage

Export sales are an important part of Bunting’s planned growth, and 2019 included key steps to deepen support for customers across Europe.

Dedicated regional expertise ensures that local industries receive timely, informed guidance on selecting and applying magnetic solutions.

New European Sales Leadership

To support its exporting goals, Bunting announced the hiring of two European sales professionals focused on regional customers and projects.

Chris Gabriel, based in Vienna, Austria, and Stefano Maiaroli, based in Treviso, Italy, were appointed to handle European sales for Bunting.

These roles provide on‑the‑ground support, including site visits, application analysis, project coordination, and ongoing account management.

For European manufacturers, this means quicker response times, better understanding of local regulations and practices, and a direct link to Bunting’s engineering and production teams.

Beyond Operations: Culture, People, and the Future

Although 2019 was rich with operational milestones, Bunting’s leadership also emphasized the human side of the company’s future.

The close of the article reflects on the opportunities of a new decade and the importance of doing better for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

A New Decade, Renewed Spirit

As 2020 approached, Bunting’s leadership expressed excitement about the “boundless opportunities” ahead and the chance to renew personal and professional goals.

The message encourages employees and partners to embrace change, leverage the company’s strengthened platform, and continue striving for excellence in every area of work.

A Simple, Human Reminder

The article closes on a simple but powerful suggestion: do yourself a favor and read a book to a child.

This reminder connects the technical and industrial world of magnets and production lines with the broader responsibility to nurture the next generation, emphasizing that progress is ultimately about people and their future.

Summary

Bunting’s 2019 can be summed up as a year of integration, investment, and intentional improvement across its global operations.

The company unified its brand, expanded manufacturing capacity, advanced lean practices, and created a dedicated Customer Experience Center to better serve customers in demanding industries.

With strengthened export capabilities and a clear strategic plan, Bunting entered the new decade as a global magnetic force ready to deliver higher performance, better service, and deeper collaboration to customers around the world.

FAQ

1. What industries does Bunting primarily serve?

Bunting serves a wide range of industries that depend on magnetic separation, metal detection, and material handling to protect product quality and process reliability.

Key sectors include mining and quarrying, recycling, plastics, food and beverage, ceramics and glass, pharmaceuticals, and general manufacturing where metal contamination control is critical.

2. Why did Bunting rebrand its locations under new names?

The rebranding aligned historically separate companies under a single, unified Bunting identity that clearly communicates a global, integrated offering.

By renaming sites such as Bunting‑Newton, Bunting‑Redditch, and Bunting‑Berkhamsted, the company made it easier for customers to recognize its worldwide capabilities and understand which facility handles specific applications.

3. What is the purpose of the Bunting Customer Experience Center?

The Bunting Customer Experience Center is designed as a dedicated hub for live demonstrations, material testing, and research and development.

It allows customers to run their own products through magnetic separation and metal detection equipment, compare solutions, and gather performance data before making final investment decisions.

4. How do the 2019 facility expansions benefit customers?

Facility expansions, especially at Bunting‑Redditch and Bunting‑Berkhamsted, increase manufacturing capacity, flexibility, and efficiency.

Customers gain from shorter lead times, the ability to execute larger or more complex projects, and improved support throughout the design, build, and commissioning phases of a project.

5. How can European customers work with Bunting?

European customers can work with Bunting through regional sales professionals such as those based in Vienna and Treviso, who provide local support and connect directly to the wider Bunting organization.

These representatives help analyze applications, recommend appropriate equipment, coordinate testing at the Customer Experience Center, and manage projects from initial inquiry through long‑term service and optimization.

Citations:

1. https://buntingmagnetics.com/blog/bunting-wraps-up-a-successful-2019

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