Who are we?
REA Automatdrejning ApS, established in 1969, is a Danish family-owned enterprise with ambitious growth plans and one of Scandinavia’s largest players in automatic turning. We specialize in serial production of high-quality manufactured parts in steel, metals and plastics.
Our strength lies in our modern high-tech production facility, which consists of more than 140 machines operated by over 80 employees. With over 50 years of experience, REA has developed a strong expertise in manufacturing precision components for a diverse range of industries.
We are renowned for our high-quality products, flexibility, and ability to meet our customers’ needs for quality products.
High quality & high precision
Flexible and fast delivery
Competitive caught
Large stock of materials
At REA, we maintain raw materials to meet our customers’ needs. We provide flexible solutions, as agreed with the customer, including the option of storing customized raw materials before production begins. Our extensive storage capacity enables us to respond promptly to customer needs and ensure a smooth production process. Contact us to learn more about how our storage facilities can optimize your production processer.
All processes gathered at one address
Our 20,000 m2 headquarters in Otterup, in the heart of Denmark, we have centralized all production processes. We consist of 13 departments that collaborate on a daily basis, from machine work to packing orders , creating an interdependence across departments.
This enables us to exercise complete control and guarantee the requisite quality from the raw material stage to the delivery of the finished order.
In-house tool production of cutting tools
Our in-house tool production allows us to be highly flexible and saves our customers valuable time, as we are not dependent on external partners. Our modern CAD/CAM systems enable us to manufacture a range of precision components, including shaping steel and shaping drills, which are typically used in our multi-spindle machines for fast and precise machining of complex shapes.
Furthermore, our CNC-controlled profile grinding, face grinding, and cylindrical grinding machines ensure the precision demanded by our processing tools.
“Our primary market is Denmark, which accounts for 60% of sales, while the remaining 40% is exported. Our growth is largely attributable to our shorter delivery times compared to our competitors in Southern Europe, which drive our exports. Furthermore, our own production facility is a significant factor in our ability to deliver quickly.”
Peter Nielsen, COO
The story behind REA
1969
Couple found REA in their garage in Uggerslev, Denmark
Arne Christensen and Inge-Lise Christensen found the company in their own garage. Arne is a trained machinist and with a strong interest in turning, he took a chance and invested in an old lathe that came to Denmark during the war as Marshall aid. Soon enough, customers started coming in, with a lot of help from the neighborhood. REA’s first customer was Eilersen Møbler, which today is a large and well-known furniture company.
1972
The company is growing and expanding with more halls
REA moves to Otterup in newly built premises of 3000 sqm and has 31 employees. Expansion is ongoing and more land is regularly purchased, the workforce is expanded, new buildings are built on the site and not least in the machinery.
1975
Construction of a new large hall (Hall B) of 414 square meters
REA expands and expands. Customers are flocking in and Arne’s eyes light up when he sees the sight of more square meters for his many new turning and milling machines.
1983
Construction of a second large hall (Hall C) of 1,074 square meters
Things are coming to a head. Once again, production is squeezed for space. Arne took the initiative again, 8 years since the last time, and expanded his already large domicile with another huge hall – this time over twice the size of the last new building.
1984
Concrete anchors become an export adventure and marketing of proprietary container lock begins
“Concrete anchors for the world. Maskinfabrikken REA ApS exports 95% of production” reads the headline in the newspapers. The main production went primarily to Rawplugs in England, which re-exported to other parts of the world, while Arne and Inge-Lise concentrated on the nearby export markets.
1986
REA opens its doors and showcases production
Around 110 guests show up for the company visit at REA.
At this time, 30 employees are employed, including 5 apprentices and an engineer.
1990
The company is expanding once again - and making acquisitions in the local area
Arne buys the sewing room BOFA, which is located right next to the production. Investing in ongoing machinery and employees requires more square meters, which gave Arne the drive to expand once again.
1991
The acquisition continues with the machine factory ASO, Præstø + investment in a new 6-spindle machine
Arne buys again and again – this time a lot of machines for his own production.
1991
In addition to the acquisition, another large hall (Hall E) of 1,674 square meters will be built later this year
Several events took place in 1991. Arne acquired ASO and Præstø, bought a new 6-spindle machine weighing several tons, and expanded production once again with the largest hall of 1,674 square meters.
1992
Youngest generation enters the business
Daughter Lone Demant Nielsen is hired in the accounting department and later becomes CEO
1993
A brand new and beautiful 350 square meter bathroom is being built for REA's employees
Employees are pampered with a brand new shower room.
1996
Funen Sprint company
REA automatdrejning ApS is on the list of Funen Sprinter Companies and is named Business of the Year in Otterup.
Business Council: “REA demonstrates high quality awareness, great respect from customers at home and abroad and a unique team spirit”
1997
Staff grows and the office expands
REA is expanding and expanding, both in terms of employees and square meters.
1998
A 2,862 square meter hall on Søndergårdsvænget is built
Arne is building another large hall a stone’s throw away. This hall is usefully used for storage.
2002
REA acquires GTM, the former coffee filter manufacturer on Industrivej 6 and gets an additional 3,740 square meters under roof
REA acquires GTM, the former coffee filter manufacturer, adding another 3,740 square meters.
2003
New Technical Director in REA
Lone’s husband Peter Nielsen is hired as Technical Director (COO) after his time at Nidec Aps, also an automatic turning company.
2003
The purchase of Industrivænget 8, which previously housed the production of painting systems, adds another 1,680 square meters to the company
Another 1,680 square meter hall is purchased for REA’s production.
2006
The generational change in REA gets underway
REA automatdrejning ApS is embarking on an ongoing generational change. Lone Nielsen is the Adm. Director (CEO), and Peter Nielsen is Technical Director (COO).
2007
Record profits and the financial crisis
The company has record profits in 2007, hires 11 new employees, but like many other companies, feels the effects of the global financial crisis in 2008-2009.
REA emerged stronger from the crisis and was well back in the market already in 2010.
2012
Company of the year
REA is named Company of the Year in Nordfyns Erhverv with the reason:
“REA Automatdrejning has a strong focus on rationality and has managed to find new ways as a global subcontractor in a very competitive area. For the same reason, REA Automatdrejning ApS is a role model for other owner-managed companies in Denmark (…)”
2014
The first robot goes into operation
REA’s first robot from Universal Robots is put into operation. The application is used in several places in production today.
In addition, the first INDEX C200 will be commissioned in 2014, and is now number 6 in the series.
2016
Generational change becomes a REAlity
REA’s generational change is now fully completed as Lone Demant Nielsen and Peter Nielsen buy the last 30% of the company.
2017
Company of the year - AGAIN
REA is again named Company of the Year in Nordfyns Erhverv with the reason:
“REA automatdrejning has been chosen as Company of the Year 2017 because the company has shown an ability to grow for several years, with annual growth rates for the last three years
year of 3 to 4%.
The company has a high profitability rate, which is expected to continue, and new customers are finding their way to the company from all over Europe. 35 to 40% of production is exported”
2019
Another expansion - this time with a new large raw materials hall
Construction of the new hall is taking shape and is expected to be ready for occupancy in November 2019. The new hall expands production by 1,800 square meters.
2021
REA takes quality management to the next level and invests
Investment in the state-of-the-art Wenzel LH 3D coordinate measuring machine for quality control ensures REA’s machining is highly precise.
2022
The year that brought 4 new machines
As time shows, REA loves buying new machines. In 2022, 2 new milling machines, a bandsaw and a new INDEX 6 spindle machine were added to production.
You are always welcome
to contact us
Industrivej 2
DK-5450 Otterup
Tel: +45 6482 2006
Email: mail@rea.dk
Order: order@rea.dk
Invoicing: invoice@rea.dk
CVR: DK-4916 1328