‘150 million’ production milestone for Telford firm
A precision manufacturer has celebrated 25 years in business by producing its 150 millionth component.
The ‘etched’ part, is heading into the world of electrification and is the perfect way for Advanced Chemical Etching (ACE) to mark nearly a quarter of a century of manufacturing in the heart of Telford.
Launched by Alan Rollason, David Latham and current Executive Director Chris Ball, the company has come a long way since it started life in a small 4500 sq ft unit with just six employees and a first order – worth £500 – going to Pascall Electronics on the Isle of Wight.
Today, ACE ships components to more than 33 different countries and works with customers in automotive, aerospace, medical, renewables and electronics.
It has recently taken on two additional people in the inspection department to cope with a 5% increase in demand, with turnover up to £9m in 2025.
“We’ve had to contend with a lot of changes over the last twenty-five years, so it feels somewhat fitting that we’ve hit the 150 million production milestone to mark our anniversary,” commented Chris Ball.
“Covid-19, Brexit, the global financial crisis and recent supply chain disruption have all been overcome and this is thanks to our commitment to investment in new technology and our people.”
He went on to add: “This has ensured we can continually innovate our processes, including adding new materials like aluminium and titanium. Achieving the highest possible standards in etching gives our clients the opportunity to choose this type of process over more traditional alternatives to achieve lighter products.
“All the focus now is on the next quarter of a century. £350,000 was spent earlier this year on the installation of two additional single chamber Chemcut etching machines and a state-of-the-art UCE developer, and this has given us quicker and cleaner imaging.
“It means we can now etch 1300 sheets per day, a far cry from the 50 we could manage back in 2000.”
Stuart Weston, who has been with the business since day one, is far left.
Advanced Chemical Etching, which holds ISO:9001 (quality) and ISO:14001 (environmental) accreditations, currently employs 70 people in Telford.
The scope of its activities is far and wide, seeing it produce anything from simple washers to highly complex precision components for a wide variety of applications, including battery interconnects, fuel cell bi-polar plates, battery grids, cooling plates and heating components.
There have been some major milestones during the last 25 years, the first hitting the £1m turnover mark in 2003 and then setting up our sister business ACE Forming (Kingswinford), before appointing ACE’s current Managing Director Ian Whateley in 2012.
In the last decade, there has been additional units acquired to increase capacity, securing the AS9100 aerospace accreditation and the complete remodelling of the factory on Hortonwood, including building its own sub-station.
“We want 2025 to be a real celebration of what the business has achieved and where we want to go over the next twenty-five years,” continued Ian Whateley.
“A big Summer BBQ took place recently and it was great to share this event with retired founders Alan Rollason and Dave Latham (both now 78). And we’re going to give every one of our 70-strong workforce their birthdays off as a little thank you! This will not just be for 2025, but for every year going forward.
“In addition to Chris Ball, we also need to recognise the achievements of Andrew Parton and Stuart Weston, who have both been with us since day one.”
