Formaplex expands and invests

The new factory, at Horndean Hampshire, will be home to the company's pattern manufacturing capability, it having relocated from Havant. To capitalise on this expansion and investment, additional staff have been hired, both in the office and in manufacturing, with this also seeing the pattern and tooling design team grown. The space vacated at Havant following the move is being used to expand the company's toolmaking and metal machining facilities. This is the latest development at Formaplex, which, during a busy 12 month period, has doubled its manufacturing floor space to 85,000 sq ft, invested an additional £1,750,000 in three other 5-axis machining centres and two large injection moulding machines of 650 and 1,500 tonne clamp force, and has created 40 new jobs. Managing director Michael Last says: "Formaplex provides specialist manufacturing services to many of the UK's leading automotive, autosport and industrial companies and our recent investments support our strategy to service these demanding customers by combining leading edge technology, modern facilities with the very best people." Formaplex has enjoyed rapid growth since its inception 11 years ago. The business was founded on the requirement for rapid manufacture of composite tooling and pattern work to support Formula 1 and other motorsport series. The company now has a much wider service offering, with composite tooling solutions, injection mould tooling, and, more recently, the manufacture of plastic components and large component machining for military vehicles, including the MOD's Foxhound vehicle.