Alucast, a specialist supplier of sand gravity and pressure castings, is targeting £3m of new product introductions after impressing car markers and Tier 1s with its quality and technical expertise.
Backed by MAGMASOFT software, Alucast has been able to take a greater role in designing and prototyping lightweight structural parts, and this has already led to £500,000 of work for a niche vehicle manufacturer.
It has also used the expansion to enhance its management team by appointing Martin Haynes as quality and technical director, responsible for delivering world-class performance and new model introductions.
Managing director of Alucast, John Swift explained: “There is a real momentum towards using aluminium in components, basically driven by the need to take weight out of vehicles.
“This is an area we have significant expertise in and this has resulted in us being nominated for a lot of new work that we have gone on to win. The pipeline of opportunities is looking even better and I’m confident we can hit £10m by 2018.”
Swift continued: “As part of this drive, we are keen to reduce the age of the senior management team by bringing in some younger people, with fresh ideas. Martin has been a fantastic addition since joining as quality manager and has been instrumental in us securing and being re-accredited for TS16949.”
Founder member of the Midlands Assembly Network, Alucast currently employ almost 100 people at its Wednesbury factory and is on course to increase turnover by 10% this year to £7.7m.
The firm is no stranger to continued investment and is currently finalising a £500,000 refurbishment plan of its machine shop and other facilities that will include the installation of two 5-axis CNC machines. This acquisition will enable it to speed up its machining capabilities and reduce time to market.
Haynes commented: “Our drive for continuous improvement has really paid off, with our 10-strong quality team delivering outstanding manufacturing performance and ensuring we are competitive on price.
“When you combine this with our ability to call upon software and a soon to be completed new machine shop, we are in an ideal position to offer lightweight castings to existing and potential automotive customers.”
He added: “A few years back, we put 73 of our staff through a comprehensive training programme that delivered diplomas in Business Improvement Techniques and a host of Adult Apprenticeships.”
He concluded: “That commitment – the largest in our 49-year history – delivered over £235,000 of immediate savings and countless softer benefits of having higher skilled workers. Personal development is key to our business, people really are our power!”
