Aerospace surface treatment specialist ASG King & Fowler has achieved formal Airbus approval for its newly installed, fully automated tartaric sulphuric anodising (TSA) line.
This milestone follows the completion of a £2 million investment programme and marks a significant advancement in the company’s capabilities.
The Airbus approval confirms that the new TSA line meets the manufacturer’s rigorous specifications, positioning King & Fowler as a strategic supplier for next-generation aerospace components requiring REACH-compliant anodising. The TSA line, commissioned earlier this year, represents a major investment in sustainable, automated technology. It is capable of processing aluminium parts up to 5.6 metres in length, supporting both large structural components and high-volume production, and significantly expanding the company’s operational capacity.
Managing Director Stephen Dean commented, “Airbus approval is a transformational moment for ASG King & Fowler. It demonstrates our ability to meet the industry’s highest quality standards and validates our commitment to future-proofing the business. The new TSA line enhances throughput, environmental performance, and our ability to secure key aerospace contracts.”
This development aligns with broader regulatory changes in the aerospace sector, including the planned phase-out of hexavalent chrome under REACH legislation. The TSA process, already preferred by major OEMs, strengthens King & Fowler’s sustainability credentials and supports customer compliance requirements.
The new TSA capability is part of a wider transformation programme supported by ASG Group, which acquired King & Fowler in 2020. Additional investments at the Liverpool site include advanced paint booths and a £140,000 trivalent passivation line, both meeting Airbus standards.
Simon Weston, Group Managing Director, added, “This achievement reflects our vision to build a resilient, innovation-driven surface treatment group. Airbus approval for our new TSA line, one of the largest in the UK, is a strong endorsement of our direction and capabilities.”
Founded in 1887, ASG King & Fowler has grown into one of the UK’s leading aerospace surface treatment specialists. With this latest investment and formal Airbus approval now secured, the company is well-positioned to support the next generation of aircraft production, working in partnership with global aerospace customers from its Liverpool base.