Kingswinford-based Ace Forming (www.ace-forming.co.uk) has appointed a new operations director and embarked on an investment drive to reach a turnover of £1 million within two years.

The company, which makes formed precision metal components, started 2017 strongly after securing new contracts to supply busbars for the automotive industry, as well as parts for the medical sector.

David Merchant, who joins the firm from pressings specialist Brandauer, has been appointed to the senior management team, and the company has acquired a new wiring machine and a bead blaster to support an increase in prototyping and low-volume production.

Originally set up to produce parts for sister company Advanced Chemical Etching in Telford, it is now on course for a turnover of £750,000 this year, and the aim is to reach £1 million by the end of 2019.

Mr Merchant said: “This is a fantastic time to be joining Ace Forming, and I’m keen to use my experience to help drive new sales, introduce new processes and look at how we can take our reputation for solving complex manufacturing issues into new markets.

“We have a lot of capabilities at our factory in Kingswinford, including our own toolroom, CNC machining and turning, miniature spot welding, mechanical assembly, soldering and a dedicated wire looming facility. I’ve also got a ‘wish list’ of new equipment that I’m looking to introduce over the course of the next 12 months.”

As part of the expansion, Ace Forming is set to work more closely with Advanced Chemical Etching after receiving significant interest from customers for complex etched and formed parts.

Ian Whateley, managing director of Advanced Chemical Etching, said: “David is a fantastic addition to the Ace Forming business and brings with him significant experience in tooling, production, sales and design.

“There’s real potential in marrying our different capabilities even closer together, and we are currently seeing the busiest quoting period in both of our histories. This is hopefully a sign of things to come.”