A specialist supplier to Formula One, automotive and aerospace sectors is looking to increase its tool try-out capacity by purchasing its first Bruderer press at MACH 2024. Alan Spargo Ltd, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, has invested in a BSTA 40-tonne machine to help it provide its expanding customer base with the option to test tooling solutions at high speed before they go into production.

The technology can offer up to 1,000 strokes per min at precision accuracy and will support the High Wycombe firm’s desire to increase sales past the £3 million mark this year. It builds on a long-term tooling relationship between the company and Bruderer UK, which has culminated in the development of a turnkey production line which has been demonstrated at MACH 2024 this week (Hall 6, Stand 482).

Specialist tooling from Alan Spargo has been developed in just six weeks to run on the Telford-based company’s BSTL 350-88 high speed press at the UK’s premier industrial show, the first time it has ever been seen running in the UK. The machine comes into its own for precision and continuity and uses up to 30% less energy when compared to older machines.

Bruderer UK managing director Adrian Haller said: “Alan Spargo works with some of the most demanding customers in the world, thanks to its ability to manufacture precision components and complex tooling. The latest investment in a 40-tonne high-speed Bruderer press reinforces this position and gives it additional capacity to try out new tools at its Buckinghamshire facility, ensuring that the customer can tweak stroke speeds and have complete confidence that — when it takes receipt of the tooling - it is going to run at high speed and with absolute accuracy.”

Bespoke tooling
He continued: “This is the natural next step in the relationship, as we have worked together on several projects to build bespoke tooling that can be used on a number of our presses situated in some of the best engineering houses in the UK.”

Alan Spargo is very much a family affair, with the original founder’s sons Michael and Peter now running the business, with the latter’s son Sam Spargo also recently joining the business. Together the company supplies engineering solutions for customers involved in electronics, electric vehicles, solar panels, medical, defence and construction from its Coronation Road facility in High Wycombe.

Director Peter Spargo said: “Our customers are continually pushing the boundaries when it comes to tool performance, and we must respond. One of the ways we can do this is by giving them access to even more tool try-out capabilities and that is why we have pressed the button on our first investment in Bruderer technology.

“This complements our other presses and, importantly, gives us a press that can deliver high-speed performance, testing the tool to its maximum. We already have several existing and new customers ready to take advantage of this. The last 12 months have been very good for us, and we have extended the workforce to 22, with the opportunity to recruit more staff, including new apprentices.”

Bruderer’s production line at MACH 2024 will leave Birmingham at the end of the show and make its way to the company’s multi-million facility that is currently being built at Hortonwood in Telford. It will form part of a demonstration facility that will be able to prove out machine tools, as well as being used as a potential training ground for future apprentices.

Mr Haller concluded: “The BSTL 350-88 high speed press, along with servo-feeder, de-coiler and Alan Spargo tooling, represents a £500,000 investment and highlights how committed we are to creating a world-class facility in the heart of Shropshire. Construction work is progressing well, and we should be open for business in October, with up to six new jobs set to be created across service, engineering and finance.”