Metal maker powers up with six-figure investment in new gear

Advanced Chemical Etching (ACE) in Telford has completed a £350,000 investment, installing two new Chemcut etching machines and a UCE developer.

The upgrade will allow the metal fabricator to produce 325,000 sheets annually, improving flexibility and accuracy in its product lines.

ACE, which employs 70 people, is targeting growth in sectors like aerospace, electrification, and medical while expanding its reach across 30 countries.

Chris Ball, executive director at Advanced Chemical Etching said: “There’s been so much global uncertainty outside of manufacturing’s control, but we’ve decided to press on
with investment in new technology that makes us quicker and gives us scope to take on
additional work.

“The two single chamber Chemcut etching machines mean we now have eight on our
shopfloor and the developer is a massive upgrade on our previous equipment. These
additions will be used on existing orders and new contracts we have in the pipeline, ranging
from busbars for electrification to critical components for aeroplanes and titanium parts that are used to save lives.

“At our peak last year, we could probably process 1000 sheets every day. Now that figure is comfortably 1300, which gives us plenty of space to grow and increase revenues.”

Ian Whateley, managing director said: “We are seeing a lot more sectors looking to employ just-in-time supply, which means that we have to make sure the products we supply are right first time. We’re currently recording 99.97% RFT – way above the industry average.

“This is even more impressive when you consider we send parts to customers in 30
countries across the world, including Denmark, Luxembourg, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand and
the US. Etching is still not understood by a lot of manufacturing and a big drive for us is educating clients on how they can embrace this engineering discipline. In a lot of applications, we can deliver the same level of performance at a fraction of the cost.”