Telford-based Advanced Chemical Etching (ACE), has seen its sales soar by 20% over the last 12 months, helping the company break the £5 million barrier, with new contracts secured from the aerospace, F1 and automotive sectors.

The firm’s ACmE and TiME processes have generated strong demand from a global customer base looking to sourcing lightweight components; this has led to the creation of 15 new jobs — and there could be more recruitment ahead, if plans to hit £8 million by 2020 are realised.

Ian Whateley, managing director, said: “Our expertise is going all over the world. Current export levels are at 30%, but with the increase in demand for titanium medical parts supplied into Europe and USA, we are expecting exports to be closer to 50% by 2020.”

ACE (www.ace-uk.net) specialises in the development of prototype components, pre-production and volume fulfilment to customers in aero, automotive, electronics, medical, telecoms and renewables.

The scope of its activities can include anything from safety-critical components for aircraft and F1 cars to meshes and electronic connectors — and even frames for designer glasses.

All parts are developed and manufactured at its main site in Telford or at its sister business, ACE Forming Ltd, in Kingswinford.

The latest production machinery, a dedicated laboratory and a ‘state of the art’ measuring capability ensures, that it works to the most exacting tolerances and can manufacture components in materials, such as stainless steel, nickel alloys, copper, beryllium copper, phosphor bronze, brass and — thanks to ground-breaking new processes — aluminium, molybdenum, titanium, nitinol and Elgiloy.