Brackley-based Grand Design Systems — a supplier to motor-sport teams from Formula One, Formula E, World Endurance, Moto GP and British Superbikes — is aware of the importance of image.

Its products include seamless wall systems for pit garages, along with a range of other pit-lane equipment, and it knows that image cuts both ways — hence a recent investment in new milling capacity through XYZ Machine Tools (www.xyzmachinetools.com).

Managing director Dudley Bacon said: “We have had examples of potential customers seeing our old milling machine and deciding that we couldn’t deliver their project, even though machining is a minor element of what we do.

“That was part of the reason for buying the new XYZ SMX SLV turret mill; it looks the part when you walk through the door. It is allowing us to bring back in-house a lot of work that we previously sub-contracted.”

The secret of Grand Design Systems’ Maxi and EcoWall systems is the camlock connection, which makes the joints between panels seamless.

Each panel will have up to 20 components for this system, and with a typical pit-lane garage having 40 panels, the number of parts is significant.

By bringing the machining of these parts in-house, Grand Design Systems has been able to improve productivity and lead times on its bespoke systems, while reducing the manufacturing costs.