Acorn Industrial Services Ltd

ACORN Expands Maintenance Offer with Simatec Maintenance Products

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd — 10/03/2026

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd is pleased to announce our appointment as an authorised distributor for Simatec maintenance products.

Simatec is recognised globally for practical, high-performance maintenance solutions designed to support reliable bearing operation and reduced downtime across a wide range of industries. Founded in 1983, Simatec developed and popularised the compact, gas-driven, single-point automatic lubricator (Simalube), which became a very successful and recognisable product in that category. Alongside its wider maintenance portfolio, Simalube helped set the standard for compact automatic lubrication. Supporting more consistent lubrication practices and helping maintenance teams protect critical assets.

Since then, the Simatec portfolio has expanded and now supports key stages of bearing maintenance. Simatec now offers safe, controlled heating tools for mounting components with their range of Simatherm induction heaters, and reliable bearing-fitting and handling tools with their Simatool fitting and removal tools.

The partnership strengthens ACORN’s maintenance equipment offer, improving access to Simatec’s mounting and dismounting equipment while providing customers with practical product guidance and responsive support. With improved availability and application-led advice, ACORN will help customers select the right tools to make maintenance simpler, safer, and more repeatable.

Product Manager for Lubricants, Sealing & Adhesives, Jay Goodgame, commented, “Becoming an authorised distributor for Simatec is a significant milestone in Acorn's drive for specialism. Simatec’s world-class innovations align perfectly with our commitment to improving reliability, efficiency, safety, and sustainability for our customers. This partnership strengthens our offering and allows us to deliver even greater value across a wide range of industries and applications.”

ACORN has made a substantial investment in the Simatec maintenance range, enabling Simatec products to be dispatched directly to customers from an authorised Simatec distributor in the UK. Thanks to their strong stockholding, knowledgeable product specialists and extensive experience in supplying bearings, power transmission, linear systems, and maintenance equipment, ACORN can support customers across every industry with practical application guidance, responsive service, and dependable supply.

For help and support with your application needs, contact your local ACORN branch, or buy online at www.acorn-ind.co.uk

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd is part of Axel Johnson International, a privately owned Swedish industrial group operating globally. The group has a dedicated long-term approach to ownership, emphasising sustainable progress and collaboration. The focus lies on acquisitions and the development of companies specialising in technical components and industrial solutions. The group consists of more than 200 companies and employs 6,000 people in 35 countries, organised into six business groups, each focusing on selected niche markets. Axel Johnson International is a part of the Swedish family-owned corporate group, Axel Johnson. www.axinter.com

ACORN solves customer supply chain issues on corrosion resistant linear rails & carriages

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd — 31/03/2026

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd is helping customers achieve their manufacturing and production deadlines by providing an alternitive corrosion resistant linear system option to customers.

By becoming the first UK supplier of THK Linear Motion Products to stock the AP-C surface-treated rails and carriages ACORN is able to supply the rails and carriages in a matter of days from the time of order.

Many linear motion guide applications require corrosion protection, including industrial washdown processes, machines in humid or salty environments, medical equipment, chemical processes, semiconductor manufacturing, and food and pharmaceutical packaging.

Given the requirement for corrosion resistance, many manufacturers and designers look to stainless steel products. But is that the optimum solution? THK, the world's leading manufacturer of linear motion systems, offers a range of corrosion-resistant special surface treatments. Their industrial black chrome plating AP-C treatment not only provides superior corrosion protection compared to martensitic stainless steel, but also offers enhanced durability, longer service life, and reduced maintenance requirements for demanding applications.

THK rails and carriages with AP-C surface treatment are now held in stock at ACORN®, a leading authorised THK Supply Partner. Rails are cut to suit customers' requirements, and carriages are fitted to create linear-motion guide assemblies.

THK AP-C surface-treated products can be delivered in a few days rather than weeks or months.

Interested customers can contact ACORN's Linear & Automation Division for further information or buy AP-C surface-treated products online at www.acorn-ind.co.uk

Leading automatic lubricator manufacturer appoints ACORN as UK supply partner

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd — 11/02/2026

ACORN® is pleased to announce their appointment as official supply partner for Simatec maintenance products. Includes their famous Simalube automatic lubricators, Simatherm bearing heaters and Simatool bearing puller products.

Simatec is recognised globally for practical, high-performance maintenance solutions designed to support reliable bearing operation and reduce downtime across a wide range of industries. Founded in 1983, Simatec developed and popularised the compact, gas-driven, single-point automatic lubricator (Simalube), which became a very successful and recognisable product in that category. Alongside its wider maintenance portfolio, Simalube helped set the standard for compact automatic lubrication. Supporting more consistent lubrication practices and helping maintenance teams protect critical assets.

The Simatec portfolio supports key stages of bearing maintenance: automatic lubrication with Simalube extends asset life and can help keep maintenance engineers safer by minimising work in unsafe areas, safe and controlled heating for mounting with Simatherm induction heater, and reliable fitting and handling with Simatool bearing tools.

The partnership strengthens ACORN’s maintenance equipment offer, improving access to core Simatec products while providing customers with practical product guidance and responsive support. With improved availability and application-led advice, ACORN will help customers select the right tools to make maintenance simpler, safer, and more repeatable.

Product Manager for Lubricants, Sealing & Adhesives, Jay Goodgame comments “Becoming an authorised distributor for Simatec is a significant milestone in Acorn's drive for specialism. Simatec’s world class innovations align perfectly with our commitment to improving reliability, efficiency, safety, and sustainability for our customers. This partnership strengthens our offering and allows us to deliver even greater value across a wide range of industries and applications.”

ACORN is well placed to distribute Simatec’s maintenance product ranges thanks to its strong stockholding and experienced product specialists. With over 40 years of experience supplying bearings, power transmission, linear systems, and maintenance equipment, ACORN supports customers across every industry with practical application guidance, responsive service, and dependable supply.

The Simatec range is now available through ACORN either to purchase online or via your nearest ACORN Regional Distribution Centre. For help and support with your applications needs, speak to our experienced product specialists.

Turning a Servo Motor Failure into a Sustainable Solution With Cost Saving Benefits

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd — 23/02/2026

When a leading crisp manufacturer experienced a servo motor failure, resulting in a major production line breakdown, they faced long replacement lead times that could cause significant revenue loss. The required part was difficult to source and extremely costly, as the servo motor manufacturer was based in the USA.

ACORN’s MRO Sales Specialist, Jack Burge, was called in to help find a solution. Knowing that ordering from the servo motor manufacturer wasn’t viable, Jack quickly identified and sourced an equivalent motor, which was delivered within a week at a cost of £9,575.16, enabling the production line to restart quickly and saving the customer weeks of lost production.

ACORN also recognised that another breakdown could potentially cause further downtime for the customer and immediately arranged for the original unit to be repaired and held as an on-site spare. The repair cost for the original unit was just £525 and would ensure the customer had a guaranteed replacement available immediately, saving them a further £9,050.16 on a new unit.

This approach can now be repeated for every failed unit, providing:

Reduction in downtime
Continuous access to a critical spare
Significant cost savings
A more sustainable alternative to buying a completely new motor each time

Thanks to proactive support and smart sourcing, the customer avoided extended downtime and gained a smarter, long-term, economical, and environmentally friendly maintenance strategy.

ACORN’s MRO sales specialists are focused on keeping manufacturers running smoothly, offering practical guidance and the right solutions whenever you need them.

ACORN Strengthens Service Capabilities with Electro-mechanical Engineering Acquisition

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd — 06/03/2026

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd has acquired LER Ltd, a UK-based electro-mechanical engineering specialist known for high-quality electric motor repair and advanced on-site services.

The acquisition supports ACORN’s strategy to expand its service capabilities across the UK. The acquisition enhances their specialist expertise in critical motor repair, vibration analysis, and responsive on-site support, enabling them to provide additional services to customers on their journey to becoming a full-range solutions provider.

“LER’s technical capability and reputation are an excellent fit for ACORN,” says Gavin Stacey, Managing Director at Acorn Industrial Services Ltd. “Their specialist skills strengthen our service offering immediately and allow us to provide customers with an even more robust, end-to-end support package.”

LER operates from its site in Stanton by Dale, just South of ACORN’s Central Distribution Centre in Rotherham, facilitating efficient collaboration and creating strong opportunities to broaden support for existing customers across both businesses.

All LER employees will remain with the business following the acquisition, and LER’s management team will continue to lead the business, maintaining continuity for customers and ensuring the specialist expertise that underpins LER’s reputation remains firmly in place.

“Becoming part of ACORN allows us to build on what we already do well, while gaining the backing and longer-term investment approach that comes with being part of a larger organisation,” says David Sherratt, Managing Director at LER Ltd. “It’s a positive step for our team and for the customers who rely on our support.”

Together, ACORN and LER will provide a broader, more integrated service proposition, combining products, repairs, condition monitoring and on-site support to help customers reduce downtime, streamline maintenance and simplify supplier management.

Acorn Industrial Services Join Made In Yorkshire

Acorn Industrial Services Ltd — 03/02/2026

We’re proud to share that Acorn Industrial Services Ltd are now members of Made in Yorkshire, joining a community of manufacturers committed to strengthening UK industry through collaboration, shared learning, and best practice.

Headquartered in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with bases across the UK, Acorn Industrial Services specialises in keeping machinery and production lines operating at peak efficiency. Working alongside manufacturers, the business supports improved uptime, reduced maintenance costs, and extended asset life through the rapid delivery of parts, expert technical advice, and tailored engineering solutions.

As Marketing Manager Richard Hewitt explains:

“Acorn works alongside manufacturers to keep machinery and production lines running at optimum efficiency. Through the rapid delivery of parts, expert technical advice, and tailored services, we provide product solutions that meet the specific needs of each operation. By doing so, we help increase uptime, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the life of critical assets across the manufacturing industry.”

Speaking about the decision to join Made in Yorkshire, Richard adds:

“We wanted to strengthen our ties and become more involved with the region’s manufacturing community. Being part of Made in Yorkshire allows us to collaborate more closely with local manufacturers and share best practice and innovation. It also provides an ideal platform to showcase how our products and solutions help businesses improve reliability, productivity, and long-term performance.”

On the types of organisations Acorn is looking to connect with:

“We are looking to build relationships with manufacturing companies wherever there are moving parts and an ongoing need for replacement components due to friction and wear. This includes businesses seeking solutions to engineering challenges, those responsible for machinery maintenance and repair, and special purpose machine builders who require reliable, high-performance parts and technical support to keep their equipment running smoothly.”

Acorn Industrial Services is looking forward to engaging with the Made in Group community, sharing experience, learning from fellow members, and continuing to support and strengthen UK manufacturing.