Manufacturers celebration
Manufacturers celebration
In 2007 it bought the company HLT allowing Shearline to machine, scribe and cut ceramics materials. In 2010 it then bought the assets of a motor sports company, now known as Shear XL. Their work includes racing car engines and transmissions and hypercar components. Shearline is also now working closely with a defence customer in the United States machining magnesium components for drones. A rock-solid reputation for high quality components and razor-prompt delivery continues to trigger fresh approaches from new customers. David says: “For example, that US company approached us as they were struggling to find a suitable manufacturer that could machine magnesium, due to its flammable properties.” So now Shearline is working closely with an exciting new customer in the development and manufacture of fast charging battery systems. It is collaborating with a fresh client in the food and drink industry, quoting an innovative environmentally friendly system – a design which has passed recent trials and is rapidly gaining a lot of interest. “This one has the potential to take off in big volumes!” says David. Another subsidiary HLT is partnering with a
skilled staff.
Spurred by government failure to consistently woo enough apprentices into manufacturing industries, Shearline chose to develop its own apprenticeship scheme. This provides high quality apprentices following a four-year programme. Similarly, being aware of the gender disparity in the engineering sector and how important it is to make sure women are fully represented, Shearline always ensures that women form a key element of the annual apprentice intake. Two of the current apprentice cohort are women. In terms of the workforce overall, almost a third of the company’s entire staff are women, several of them talented engineers, while a good number are managers right up to the Finance Director role. Ever mindful of the macro-economic situation, Shearline senses a further opportunity for growth, as David Littlechild explains: “One of the reasons I believe the future for Shearline is so good is that the recent supply chain problems with China has forced companies to consider reshoring their manufacturing operations.” n
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David says: “The investment in new machines and the latest technology has been a priority for Shearline and has allowed us to maintain efficiency and quality – both crucially important in global markets. The investment has included one of the largest 5th axis machining centres operating in a sub-con environment.” Paying it forward has, in turn, paid dividends, as Shearline continues to expand into new markets. For example, the company has AS9100 accreditation to supply parts for the aerospace and defence industries. Some of the newer markets it services include Robotics, Wind Turbines, EV technology, medical and Electron microscopes. “The investment in new machines and the latest technology has been a priority for Shearline and has allowed us to maintain efficiency and quality.”
https:/ shearline.co.uk
global manufacturer in the electronics industry and running trials with a view to start manufacturing in production volumes at the start of next year. Demonstrating its versatility, Shearline is working on a prototype fabricated aesthetic beauty device for an extremely well-known household name company. Shearline is now reaping the gain but it has not been without pain. David – who these days acts in a consultancy capacity – and managing director Jon Littlechild say one of the biggest challenges has been finding suitably
work from globally successful companies and shifted through the gears in terms of premises before building its own showcase facility in Ely. The biggest growth factor was a contract with instrumentation giant LKB Biochrom which has remained a customer for more than 45 years. Another catalyst for expansion was the development of the inkjet sector, principally through Domino, Linx and Willett (now Videojet) – all of whom are customers today. Shearline has consistently invested large sums in state-of-the-art machinery which, in turn, boosted capability and meant Shearline could handle increasingly large and complex jobs.
Machinery & Manufacturing 17
Machinery & Manufacturing 16
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