Parker is joined at KTL Tooling by new non-executive chairman Dave Roberts, who brings significant industry experience to the role, to create an experienced and commercially-focused executive team that underpin both organisations and lay the foundation to deliver growth.
KTL Tooling operates from a purpose-built 64,000 sq ft manufacturing facility at Burnley’s Innovation Drive, a global centre of excellence for aerospace and automotive engineering. (Innovation Drive was the former site of the Michelin Tyre factory and is located adjacent to the Heasandford Industrial Estate, two miles from Burnley town centre.) KTL employs more than 60 highly skilled technical engineers and support staff, who service a growing international roster of industry leaders that includes BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace, Airbus EADS (Astrium) and Thales Underwater Systems.
Under its new ownership, KTL Tooling’s mission is to become the go-to supplier for composite mould tools in the UK and Europe, by leveraging the enlarged group’s engineering expertise and complementary tooling specialisms.
Worldwide, the composite tooling market is expected to reach $US551.8m by 2021 at an annual growth rate of circa10%. This is largely from the demand for tooling to manufacture composite engineering components for the aerospace, defence and automotive industries, due to the increasing requirement for lightweight and high performance materials.
During its almost 60-year history, KTL Tooling has developed a range of specialist tools for the manufacture of complex aircraft parts, which includes production of the A350, F-35, Typhoon, A320, Learjet, C-Series, A330, Hawk, A380, KC-390, G280, Trent, AH-1Z, A10 and A340.
In addition to various ISO accreditations, the business is AS9100 Rev. D certified and holds BAE Systems’ Method 1 approval (Direct to Line Delivery).
G Parker Aero Tooling is principally involved in the design and manufacture of detail tooling, jigs and fixtures for the aerospace industry. It designs and manufactures tooling for both sheet metal and composite airframers and engine manufacturers.
KTL Tooling managing director Parker says: “A history of innovation binds KTL Tooling and G Parker Aero Tooling Solutions, which was a key driver behind the takeover. Creating a single group brings a significant breadth of technical ability that sets us apart from our competitors, ultimately supporting both business’s growth plans and the evolving needs of our customers.”
He continues: “Tooling was one of the many specialisms under the Kaman banner and we are focused on enhancing KTL Tooling’s manufacturing capability with its relevant approvals. We still work closely with Kaman on a preferred supplier basis, whilst ensuring we maintain the same high levels of innovation, service and support for our entire client base.
“East Lancashire is one of the world’s largest aerospace clusters and I am committed to strengthening the region’s outputs through this enlarged tooling group to ensure it remains a significant hub for advanced global manufacturing.”
