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