Xtrac kicks off 2026 with a million-pound investment

UK-based Xtrac, a market leader in transmission technology, has confirmed a £1 million investment in the latest machining centres at its Thatcham headquarters. Recently installed, and starting production in January 2026, are three new cutting-edge machines — a Sodick EDM machine, a CMG Mori-Seiki CNC turning centre and a Behringer high-performance bandsaw. Together, this trio of investments will improve further Xtrac’s ability to deliver high-precision gearing solutions to the highest quality.

Meanwhile Xtrac’s existing EDM (electro-discharge machining) equipment has been enhanced with the addition of a new Sodick ALC 600P wire EDM machine. This uses Sodick’s most advanced generator, has full CE-certified safety specification and boasts optimal performance, quality and accuracy — essential for cutting internal splines to a level of accuracy and repeatability unheard of a few years ago.

Xtrac’s CEO Adrian Moore said: “This machine will primarily be utilised to deliver to the very highest quality required for Xtrac’s gears and splined components used in Formula One engines and gearboxes. It will also be used to manufacture gears used in top level professional motorsport series around the world such as the all-electric racing Formula E, as well as for hybrid transmission components used in global Sportscar racing such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

Fully commissioned in December 2025, the new DMG Mori-Seiki NLX 2500/700 is a powerful, automated energy-efficient CNC turning centre. With automated bar feed and robotic unload that delivers high productivity, process integration (turning and milling) and advanced features such as Y-axis capability, dual spindles and digital tailstock, this machine is ideal for complex parts used in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

At Xtrac, the machine has been put to work turning and milling multiple types of part families of internal gearbox components for motorsport and high-performance automotive applications. It is also able to operate in lights-out mode for larger volumes, adding considerable extra capacity to Xtrac’s existing turning and milling capability. The new DMG Mori-Seiki centre will ensure rapid manufacture of components before they undergo the in-house gear cutting, heat treatment and grinding processes.

Flexible configuration
To further increase essential production flexibility, the latest technology Behringer high-performance HBE Performance Series bandsaw has also been installed in the 5000ft² metal preparation area of Xtrac’s Thatcham plant. Operating in conjunction with the existing Behringer equipment, this investment will reduce the time spent in metal preparation. Moreover, the flexible configuration will ensure that raw material of different bar sizes can be rapidly swapped over, resulting in reduced time from customer project launch to first machining commencing.

In addition to the acquisition of three new pieces of equipment Xtrac remains committed to staying at the cutting edge of gear design and manufacturing through investing in upgrading its existing equipment to take advantage in developments in technology and software.

In December 2025, the Klingelnberg P40 gear inspection machine was upgraded to deploy the Swiss / German specialist’s latest closed loop bevel manufacture process and technology suite. Moore explains: “This enhancement enables the manufacturing and inspection of gears to dimensional accuracies only recently available. It also improves machine functionality and gives us the ability to unlock vital performance improvements within our gear designs.”

Mr Moore added: “This million-pound investment in equipment demonstrates our long-term commitment to our customers in the UK and across the globe. This reiterates our long-term vision and the ethos that we will always keep investing to improve our capability, capacity and flexibility. This ensures that our customers – in motorsport, automotive or aerospace - have the very best products on time and to the highest quality.

He concluded: “It should be stressed that in many cases, this new machinery will be programmed and operated by graduates from Xtrac’s award-winning apprentice academy. We are hugely optimistic about the future of our business, which operates at the very forefront of technical innovation. While we are proud of our history and heritage, we are also committed to our investment in the next generation of engineers who will drive us forward.”