Engineering group continues expansion by acquisition

The major North East sub-contractor in Newton Aycliffe will continue to be run by managing director, Tom Stoddart, who established the company 20 years ago. “There exists a great deal of synergy between PG Technology and DPE which will benefit our customer base both in the UK and Europe,” commented Clive Evans, new business development manager at PG Technology. “The two businesses operate a similar multi-shift working pattern and the acquisition will further extend the enlarged group’s capacity. Multi-axis CNC machining capacity is significantly increased in respect of milling, turning, wire and solid EDM, and surface and cylindrical grinding, backed by a full design facility.” The purchase of DPE gives Mr Bootes a strong geographical presence that is ideally suited to supplying high-precision machined components to customers throughout the whole of the United Kingdom. It also strengthens his links with the North of England, which started with his acquisition in 2005 of tier 1 automotive pressings manufacturer, Tolwood Technologies. Commented Mr Bootes, “We intend to strengthen the links between DPE and PG Technology over the coming months to increase our competitiveness and allow us to offer unrivalled cost, quality and delivery. “In that way we will build a wider customer base for higher-added-value, high precision components, as we have done at Mitcham, and in particular will be further developing our work in the aerospace, motorsport, medical, and oil and gas sectors.” * Mr Bootes bought troubled sub-contractor and Optidress grinding wheel dressing system maker PG Technology, Mitcham, Surrey in 2001 from US multi-national Tripoint Holdings and then nearby Toolmasters Technologies, a manufacturer of the Diaform grinding wheel dressing system and invested heavily in the company thereafter (see Machinery, 2 July, 2004, page 25). Mr Bootes also incorporated his original company BPR Precision Toolmakers within the Mitcham site to create an amalgamated company offering four services: sub-contract machining; precision toolmaking; blade manufacturing technology; and profile dressing technology.