Remaining adaptable FINECAST FOUNDRY
The development and implementation of such systems is an inherently important part of Performance Products’ investment programme, but it makes up just one small portion of this extensive agenda.
Research and development is key to the division’s ability to stay ahead of the curve and provide the latest and most advanced products and services to its clients, enabling it to satisfy their complex demands. For this reason, Performance Products constantly seeks to improve and update its operating model.
“Alongside new intelligent systems, we continually invest in our manufacturing sites in the UK,” Starkey reveals. “In our transmission technical centre in Leamington we have recently added additional capabilities to both our machining facilities and our end of line test cells, improving our offering in emerging electrified motorsport sectors.
“Equally, in our engine assembly plant down in Shoreham we have made significant upgrades to both the engine assembly line and the supporting logistics centre, ensuring we can meet the demands of tomorrow.”
With these upgrades providing new challenges in the way of staff training, Performance Products ensured that the implementation and transition was seamless by allowing its employees to familiarise themselves with the new systems through the use of VR technology to simulate the new factory prior to installation.
To this end, the company was able to implement the new systems quickly and effectively while adding flexibility and capacity. Starkey adds: “These changes were installed over just a three-week period in August 2018 when the plant was undergoing its annual shut down.”
Capitalising on current trends
Such investment practices are not limited to the firm’s capital either.
Equally, Performance Products ensures that its staff are continually educated so that they can effectively meet any shifts in the market and become qualified in using the latest manufacturing techniques and technologies.
The firm’s work in the electric vehicle market is one such example of this – a market that is increasingly finding its way into the high-performance automotive segment.
In response to this rising trend, Performance Products invested in training its staff in electric vehicle- relevant areas, a strategy that has since paid dividends, with the firm having developed supply chain and manufacturing capabilities in the production of high-performance traction batteries and development of electric axles for automotive drivelines.
“Such requirements and capabilities have spilled over into motorsport where we are now developing and supplying transmissions for several teams in Formula E,” Starkey reiterates.
These expanded innovative activities are testament to Performance Products’ emphasis on current trends,
Foundry is a specialist manufacturer of high integrity aluminium castings, accredited to BS EN ISO 9001: 2000 and AS9100 aerospace standards.
It provides customers with a comprehensive solution for their prototype to production requirements: casting design and 3D simulation, rapid prototyping, tooling/pattern manufacture, CNC machining and non- destructive and inspection facilities.
Finecast is now also producing copper and steel products for global automotive, defence, maritime and petrochemical industries.
Managing Director Chris Gratton-healey comments: “As a prototyping foundry, every design is a new concept and I think that’s reflective of the British attitude of being ingenious, creative and not saying no to a challenge.”