20 machines and counting

Dorset-based Walker AEC (Poole) is an aerospace subcontractor that has stepped up its game from being a manufacturer of simple commercial components when it first opened its doors for business just over 40 years ago to a high-end machine shop producing technically advanced components.

The company now manufactures complex assemblies and sub-assemblies for landing gear and hydraulic actuators for the aerospace market. More impressively, Walker AEC is currently exporting upwards of 80% of its work.

With a machine shop filled with machine tools from Ward Hi-Tech, Walker AEC's CEO Martyn Walker explains the reasons behind his purchasing decisions: “We specify machine tools from Ward Hi-Tech because they provide the ideal solution to the company's needs. Buying plant isn't just about the machine; it's about the complete package. Ward Hi-Tech delivers a complete service from finance through to tooling-up for the right jobs, training, installation and regular and reliable service contracts."

Supporting these claims, Walker AEC's manufacturing manager Chris Lench says: "We push the machines to the limit on a daily basis and they respond well. The machines are very accurate and robust and we are using them for anything from aluminium through to aerospace grade alloys and steel. We do undertake some particularly challenging work that demands tight tolerances and the Dah Lih machining centres and Hwacheon turning centres from Ward Hi-Tech respond very well."

The company has recently taken on another factory unit to support expansion plans and will house the large Hwacheon turning centres that are restricted by the space in the current facility. It will also enable the company to add more capacity if required.

During the last 15 years Walker AEC has installed over 20 Dah Lih vertical machining centres and Hwacheon CNC lathes from Ward Hi-Tech including its latest acquisition, a Dah Lih MCH630 horizontal machining centre which was installed in January this year.

Ward Hi-Tech, based in Sheffield, is the sole UK distributor for Dah Lih and Hwacheon CNC machining centres and turning machines.

Ward Hi-Tech www.wardhitech.co.uk

Walker AEC www.walkeraec.com

Company

Ward Hi-Tech

Tags
Related Articles

Technology collaboration

The MTC in Coventry is exhibiting the Porsche 919 Hybrid racing car in its reception area until the start of the MACH show when it will move to the DMG Mori stand at the NEC in hall 5 on stand 5610.
8 years ago Features

Loads better

Mills CNC reports that it is increasingly being approached by manufacturers to help design and implement what, in many instances are innovative manufacturing turnkey and process improvement solutions.
8 years ago Features
Most recent Articles

Renishaw highlights career pathways in engineering

There is not one singular blueprint that can lead to a career in the engineering industry. It offers a variety of roles, open to people from diverse backgrounds. To highlight the diversity of skills and experiences in engineering, global engineering technologies company, Renishaw, has created the ‘Employee perspectives’ series.
1 day ago News

Login / Sign up