Granada Material Handling (Granada), the UK's leading material handling solutions specialist, is revolutionising the industry and enjoying huge success by using the latest innovative computer-aided design (CAD) technology when planning for a whole host of potential projects.

Granada is at the cutting-edge of the technology and claim that 'CADamation', has significantly enhanced all areas of the Rochdale company's production process.

Using commercially available software, Autodesk Inventor, designers are able to create any proposed machine or structure as a 3D model appearing on the computer screen. The software provides a virtual representation of the structure, which can then be shown as part of a proposal to a client, providing a realistic, 'walk through' model before any metal has been cut.

Commenting on the technology, Granada's Mark Bradbury says: "We are delighted with what CAD has done for our business. The technology has proved vital in helping us to secure a number of sizeable contracts with blue-chip clients such as Jaguar, Airbus, Land Rover, JCB and Bentley, who are all notable for selecting subcontractors at the top of their field.

"We have been using CADamation for some time now, and it has revolutionised the way we operate. Prior to this we could only imagine what machines and structures would look like, whereas now we just have to look at a computer to get a highly detailed view and can then use the images created to better explain our design rationales to both prospective customers.

"The technology has not only helped us with securing all important new business, but also with our internal productions process. Workers on the shop floor, who may previously have struggled to see the bigger picture of what they are trying to build, can now simply step into the office and take a look.  That greatly reduces construction errors and gives us even greater confidence that we can deliver exactly what we have promised."

With technology always moving forward, Granada ensures that it remains at the forefront of CAD by having new versions of the AutoDesk software shipped to them automatically as soon as become available.  Mark concludes: "Having developed a real competitive advantage over many of our competitors, we are fully committed to embracing any new developments in CAD.

"We remain convinced that doing so will help us maintain our position as one of the leading players in our field."