EDM graphite & tooling supplier to the aerospace market Erodex has reported a 20% increase in turnover following a £3.5m investment and expansion into North America.
The company, part of The Erodex Group, stated the growth in its last financial year has been a direct result of the investment, specifically targeted at work within the aerospace and industrial turbine sectors.
Director, Steve Rolinson, commented: "We have experienced significant growth on the tooling side of the business, which in fact is the fastest growing part of the Erodex group. The decision to invest in our own tool rooms and dedicated tooling inspection facilities has given us a real point of differentiation in the market.
“As well as designing the optimum electrode, the electrode holder and work piece holder, Erodex design and manufacture the whole package, all with a single point of contact. This is unique in our market and we are seeing more and more customers buying into this mindset because of cost and time savings.”
Erodex has secured new clients in China and Israel, as well as new business following its decision to establish a £2m facility in Virginia, North America and invest £1.5m into a new UK tool room and machine shop.
The decision to create a new UK tool room enables Erodex to produce their own tooling in house - particularly that with a significant amount of intellectual property. Doing so allows for tighter quality control, greater support and the carrying out of function trials by their own toolmakers prior to release.
Regarding the expansion into America, co-director, John Rolinson, added: "Rolls Royce Group announced that they were opening a new turbine blade facility in Virginia and Erodex were asked to support that as a result of our long term working relationship with them. This started off with us supplying graphite electrodes from the UK, however as their Virginia operation grew, we entered conversations about starting a tool room there so that we could offer the same fixture care and repair as well as inspection/trialling of tools in Virginia that we would do in the UK.”
To facilitate its growth, Erodex have expanded its workforce by 10% to above 100. A group quality manager and group quality engineer were recruited as part of a move towards AS9100 Rev D, ISO14001 and NADCAP Certifications.
Steve Rolinson added: "The move towards AS9100 Rev D, ISO14001 and NADCAP Certification will allow further diversification of Erodex into flying parts. We currently make the electrodes required to make flying parts, but accreditation such as this will enable Erodex to handle and inspect flying parts ourselves, which is part of our longer term strategy for growth.”