Bigger voice for manufacturers

A trade body that represents 200 manufacturers has placed a Minister for Manufacturing, greater SME involvement in the Industrial Strategy and ongoing lobbying around the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) at the top of its action list for 2025. The Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) wants to give members an even greater voice on key issues impacting their ability to compete over the next 12 months.

Despite recent challenges, the CBM believes there are still plenty of opportunities for manufacturers if there is more stability in the automotive sector and if the ongoing resurgence in aerospace continues. It also believes that serious government backing and funding towards ‘Made in Britain’ could dispel some of the economic gloom and generate numerous possibilities.

More information www.thecbm.co.uk

New era for Floyd Automatic Tooling

UK cutting tool distributor Helix Tool has acquired Floyd Automatic Tooling following the decision of Richard and Chantal Floyd to retire from the business after 35 years. “Over the decades, our offering has expanded exponentially in line with both the technology and the requirements of the marketplace,” says Richard Floyd. “We’ve built partnerships with suppliers and clients that have spanned decades. The staff and management team at Floyd Automatic will undoubtedly take the Floyd brand, relationships, service and product portfolio forward with new vigour – and I wish our new owners every success in the future.”

More information www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Exactaform Acquires Precision Tooling Specialist

Exactaform Cutting Tools has acquired the trade and assets of PJ Tooling, an established
name in the precision tooling industry. The move not only strengthens Exactaform’s
commitment to growth and expansion but also carries a sentimental value that dates back
to the company’s roots.

Exactaform founder John Inglis started his career at PJ Tooling. This experience laid the
foundation for his future in the tooling industry and was instrumental in the formation of
Exactaform. With this acquisition, his journey has come full circle, bringing PJ Tooling under
the Exactaform umbrella and creating new opportunities.
“PJ Tooling gave me my start in the industry, so it’s a great privilege to be able to bring the
business back into the fold and ensure its legacy continues,” says Inglis. “We’re excited to
bring our expertise and resources to PJ’s operations and support its customers with the
same high standards of service that we provide at Exactaform.”
PJ Tooling’s location in Warwick is just a short drive from Exactaform’s headquarters in
Coventry, making the transition smooth with operations now united under one roof at the
latter facility. By centralising operations, Exactaform can leverage its state-of-the-art
facilities and expert team to enhance further the company’s ability to deliver on complex
projects.
The acquisition of PJ Tooling presents exciting opportunities for Exactaform to strengthen its
position in the hydraulic component industry, among others. While the company already
has some experience in this sector, there is a considerable amount of crossover between
existing capabilities and the specific requirements of manufacturing bespoke cutting tools
for machining hydraulic components.
With PJ Tooling’s established reputation and Exactaform’s manufacturing processes, the
company is excited to expand its reach and deliver even greater value to customers who
require high-precision tools for hydraulic applications.
More information www.exactaform.com

Tool Management Engineered In Record Time

Mapal’s offer for the series production of the motor block required for a new Deutz 3.9-litre
diesel engine included almost 100 different tools, as well as tool holders and adapters.
Effective tool management was therefore a priority. However, in the capable hands of
Mapal, the Zafra, Spain facility of Deutz knew it could rely on the delivery of an optimised
solution.
Deutz’s new 3.9-litre diesel engine sees most use in agricultural and construction machines.
Series production is due to start in the coming year after the current prototype phase. Some
50,000 units per annum will require manufacturing.
“Our clients’ development periods for new parts are becoming shorter and shorter,” states
Thomas Spang, global head of tool management at Mapal.
For the engine block of the new 3.9-litre diesel engine, Mapal only had two weeks after the
design freeze to complete a final offer. When Deutz sent its request, the Tool Management
department in collaboration with the Technology Expert Team (TET) at Mapal in Aalen first
gave some initial thought to the production process.
“To be quick, we don’t concern ourselves with detail at this early stage, but instead pull
together reference tools and concepts from previously completed projects”, explains Harald
Traub, project engineer from TET, who is responsible for planning the entire process. “In this
way, we’re able to specify an approximate budget and the rough scope of the tool package
for the client.”
After initial planning, concrete tool design followed in the second week. Mapal’s offer for
the series production of the motor block included almost 100 different tools. Many of them
are custom tools that achieve short machining time and thus high economic efficiency.
To produce prototypes quickly, a few close-to-standard tools were also specified.
More information www.mapal.com

Leading The Charge On EDI

Composites UK has unveiled a landmark report for the UK composites industry, marking the
sector’s first comprehensive analysis of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Composites UK
will lead a five-year strategy to drive sector-wide change, introducing an EDI framework, a
pledge and extensive resources to support companies in fostering more inclusive
workplaces.
The aim of the initiative is not to impose quotas or encourage a ‘tick-box’ approach, but to
inspire organisations to evaluate and reform basic practices and behaviours that may hinder
inclusion. Matt Bradney, chair of the Composites UK Workforce Development Group,
emphasises the urgency, stating: “We either do this or we don’t have an industry.”
More information www.compositesuk.co.uk