Machine acquisition for excellence in aerospace

Middlesex Aerospace is one of Britain’s leading tier 1 suppliers of critical components and assemblies to major OEMs throughout the global aerospace market. The Basingstoke-based business currently employs 150 staff, including five apprentices, and the new investment will lead to the creation of further roles within Middlesex Aerospace’s machining and assembly department.

The company has worked with Mazak for over 20 years and its latest investment comprises two state-of-the-art, 5-axis multi-tasking machines, and one horizontal machining centre, complete with an expanded tool storage system.

The new equipment will not only reinforce Middlesex Aerospace’s existing in-house precision machining capabilities, but the increased capacity of the new machines will allow the company to further develop its offering to customers.

What’s more, the new machinery will enable Middlesex Aerospace to operate lights-out unmanned manufacturing, 24-hours a day throughout the entire week; dramatically improving production volumes.

Laurence Foulds, managing director at Middlesex Aerospace, comments: “Our latest investment in machinery is one of the company’s most significant to date, and will allow us to support a number of new customers and programmes, as we continue to grow the business.

“Mazak has been our long-term machining partner for two decades. The work we undertake for our customers places a great demand on our equipment, and we know that Mazak machine tools – as well as the company’s Applications Engineering team – ensure we are able to deliver the incredibly high levels of accuracy and repeatability mandated by the aerospace sector.”

Alan Mucklow, managing director UK and Ireland sales division at Yamazaki Mazak, adds: “Middlesex Aerospace is a fantastic example of a British business taking the lead in the global supply chain and delivering exceptional results. After many years of working together, we are delighted to be able to help the company take a step closer towards realising its long-term strategic goals, through the purchase of three new state-of-the-art machining centres.

“The aerospace supply chain is faced with a unique array of application engineering challenges, given the stringent accreditations that govern the industry, and our latest 5-axis and horizontal machining centres are more than capable of working to the tight tolerances required.”

Middlesex Aerospace www.middlesexaerospace.com

Yamazaki Mazak www.mazakeu.co.uk