Investment

Precision Micro has grown into one of the largest specialist components manufacturing operations in Europe, with a global customer base and a reputation for quality that's second to none.

Having relocated to a new, purpose built manufacturing facility in 2007, the company has taken the opportunity to upgrade its manufacturing processes and efficiencies to the ultimate benefit of its customers.

The new 44,000 sq. ft. plant, completed on time and within budget is thought to be the only purpose built photo-etching facility in Europe. The entire project was focussed on providing a better, more efficient and more cost effective service for customers. To this end, substantial further investment has been made in new, state-of-the-art manufacturing machines and equipment to take the photo-etching process to new levels of precision and repeatability.

Environmental aspects were also a key priority in the design and build of the new plant. An ion-exchange water recycling system reduces effluent disposal by up to 90% while the gravity fed fluid handling system reduces power usage.

Extensive research and development facilities enable new chemistries to be developed to process the exotic, corrosion resistant materials used widely in the aerospace and chemical processing industries.

The increase in capacity to over 25 tonnes per week, combined with the introduction of 25% more ‘start points’ has significantly improved the flexibility of the business and thereby its ability react quickly and efficiently to customer requests. This is complemented by a dedicated ‘fast track team’ of experienced operators for very high priority components.

New Class 10,000 cleanroom facilities (with Class 1000 zones) incorporating tight humidity and temperature control, allow improved film registration, lifting tolerance capabilities to new levels while improving repeatability.

Further efficiencies have been achieved by the introduction of ‘customer specific’ cells where process line equipment and personnel are dedicated to individual, high volume projects. Having the facility to adopt such an approach that offers enhanced precision and repeatability, is seen as a huge benefit by major customers.

This relocation became the catalyst for a continuous improvement programme geared towards developing a leaner manufacturing operation.

The project is focused on providing a better, more efficient, more cost effective service for their customers by de-constructing and then redesigning the processes to optimise efficiencies and capabilities.

The culmination of this has lead to Precision Micro achieving numerous accreditations, most notably AS 9100, the single, common Quality Management System for the whole aerospace industry, satisfying DOD, NASA, and FAA quality requirements.