Baxi to the rescue!

Date:

01/03/2010

When a gentleman arrived at the reception desk of Baxi Group's Preston factory asking for a replacement for an old Baxi Burnall ash can, Peter Mitchinson, Components Manager, said he would do what he could to help.

Mr Caunce, 80, a local farmer and rose grower, had purchased the Baxi Burnall 45 years ago, when both he and Philip Baxendale were members of South Preston Rotary Club in 1965.  The system was installed in his house by Jack Fishwick Builders of Houghton Lancashire, and Mr Caunce still has the receipt.

The ash can was completely burned out beyond all recognition, and had not been produced for many years.  There are no surviving tools, parts or drawings.  However Mike Baines, a CNC Process Engineer in the Components Sheet Metal Department, helped to make a special, one off ash can for Mr Caunce.

Mike explains how he went about recreating the ash can.  "When I first started at Baxi 27 years ago, as a Sheet Metal worker, the Baxi Burnall was still in production, so I knew the design of the components. But we had no drawings available, so I measured what was left of the original, and designed the rest from memory.  We then generated drawings and programmes to manufacture the individual parts, and finally welded the items together. I believe the new ash can is even better than the original!"

Mr Caunce was presented with his new, specially made ash can, which has its own commemorative plaque by Peter and Mike.

Peter adds, "It was nice to help Mr Caunce out, especially as he has had this Baxi product for so long.  He was delighted and said it was good to see the spirit of Baxi lives on.  We like to think we go the extra mile to help where we can."