Pioneering rapid engineering company Formaplex, a leading aerospace pattern and tooling supplier, has expanded its pattern manufacturing capacity in the UK by nearly a third with investment in two new CMS Aries 4826 5-axis-machines.

The acquisition of the new state-of-the-art machinery completes a £750,000 investment programme by the Hampshire-based company, which supplies composites and pattern manufacturing services for clients in the motorsport, automotive and defence industries, as well as aerospace.

Round-the-clock manufacturing and support is a core service at Formaplex and the new machines have been put into action immediately.

As a result of the investment in the new machinery and the expansion in pattern manufacturing capacity at Formaplex, the company has added four new members to its fast-growing team.

"Investment in these 5-axis machines is an important step in maintaining our high level of client service. We have a reputation for excellence in our field and this expansion in capacity will help us continue to deliver high-quality rapid engineering services to clients across the aerospace and defence industries", comments Formaplex Composites Director, Jon Payne.

The growth in pattern manufacturing capacity comes at the end of a busy 12 months for Formaplex. The company has doubled its manufacturing floor space to 85,000 sq. ft., invested £1.75 million in three other 5-axis machines and two large injection-moulding machines and created 40 new jobs since the beginning of 2012.

"British Engineering is once again leading the way in pioneering manufacturing solutions, particularly in the field of patterns and production tooling for the composite industry. Composites is flying the flag for British manufacturing across the world and Formaplex is glad to be a part of this group. The recent growth at Formaplex underlines our commitment to British manufacturing and we are looking forward to the engineering challenges that 2013 will bring", adds Payne.