Having been made redundant as a sheet metal worker on three consecutive occasions Ron Lewis decided it was time to stop working for others so he started buying refurbishing and re-selling small engineering machines from his garage on the back of his house in Dipton County Durham due to limited space in his now expanding operation he moved into a semi-derelict 500 square foot outbuilding on the former British Iron & Steel site in Consett. Ron worked on his own for the first two years in less than desirable conditions buying, repairing and refurbishing a range of much larger sheet-metal, engineering and woodworking machinery continuing what would become a slow but steady expansion. He moved location no less than six times due the need for even more space until what he thought would be his company’s final move to Tanfield Lee Stanley only to be told that the whole estate was to be demolished to make way for new homes. So for the very last time in January 2017 he and his loyal workforce moved into what he hopes will be its final location!.
Rondean Ltd are now based on the Drum Industrial Estate Chester-le-Street with over twenty thousand square feet of factory and showroom space of machinery & tooling for Engineering, Metal Fabrication & Woodworking companies large and small as well as to education and training organisations with specific emphasis on top quality manufactured machinery made in the UK as well as equal quality ones from outside the UK.
Rondean are now the largest machinery and tooling stockist in the North East, with the proud reputation of having supplied it’s products both in the UK and beyond for 38 years without having even one machine refunded in all that time.
Since 1984 his company has over the years built an enviable reputation for refurbishing some of the best quality-built machine tools. In the words of Ron Lewis MD “a sale is never our first, second or even our last priority, the quality of the products we supply coupled with the precisely matched machining-needs of our customers will always come first and last”
Ron says, “Many of Rondean’s sales are repeat business from current satisfied customers. We always ask as many questions at the outset about materials, quantities, accuracy, budgets, with special emphasis about the clients machining expectations listening carefully to find the precise machining-solution in every single case never to merely make a sale.”
We conduct a full personal needs analysis for every single customer to ensure we’re able to assist in solving their problems to provide the precise machining solution. We are also able to facilitate in-house, hands-on manual or fully powered demonstrations so customers can bring along their own samples to ensure complete materials verses machining compatibility before committing to buy. We know that it’s this kind of approach that works for our customers.
Nick Spurr, Amble Boat Company:
Rondean are always extremely helpful with the supply of good quality used machinery, over a number of years we have purchased various pieces of used equipment which has always been checked/and delivered. They are also helpful when spare or service parts are required.
Oliver Dickinson, Senstronics Newton Aycliffe:
Used Rondean for years at my current company for a lot of our tooling needs. Bought lathes, a milling machine and assorted tooling. Best thing to do is pop down and speak to them they’ve got all sorts, you name it. Everything is stripped, cleaned and ready for service, a very handy company to have local when you need something to get a job away.
Ron concluded: “By continuing our policy of asking the right questions then listening carefully to companies and training organisations machining or other needs. Our aim is to provide only the precise solution on every single occasion, just as we have for the past 38 years.
Rondean are located at Units 11 & 13 First Avenue, Drum Industrial Estate, Chester-le-Street, DH2 1AG
Tel: 0191 410 5886 Email: info@rondean.co.uk