Arrk Europe Ltd. is rolling out plans to expand its prototyping and development sales in England.
The move follows the success of the firm's Gloucester Technical Centre, which Arrk Europe's managing director Royden Morgan says reported “a fantastic year in 2013 with many new exciting projects successfully completed.”
Developments included the launch of its rapid CNC machining cell that was “already proving a welcome addition to our customers in 2014,” he added.
Arrk has also repositioned its business at the firm's Nuneaton Technical Centre (NTC) in Warwickshire with the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Composites and Tooling. Nuneaton also is the company's headquarters.
The NTC has received a significant boost after being signed up to act as agent for carbon fiber material producer Toray Industries Inc. in Europe. Morgan says: “It allows us to offer our customers an alternative product supply at a lower cost.”
Meanwhile Arrk Europe's Petersfield Technical Centre (PTC) has a secured an alliance with auto supplier Paintbox and along with it, a recommendation for tooling and molding from a major automotive manufacturer in the country. Paintbox, based in Banbury, makes painted exterior panels such as bumper fascia and fenders.
“Arrk Petersfield has in recent months been awarded significant new contracts from both vehicle manufacturers and tier one suppliers,” Morgan said. “This combined with a program of new launches that we face throughout 2014 is a clear demonstration that PTC is becoming increasingly recognized as a credible, quality supplier of tooling and molding.”
Arrk's Rapid CNC machining cell in Gloucester, with its range of Mazak and DMG machines, offers five and three axis capability cutting from an extensive range of plastics, metal and sintered components.
Dai Kinnan, who heads up the center with Tom Klenz, says: “The new center has been designed in response to a growing demand for a UK Rapid CNC machining service. We believe our ‘can do' mentality and the operation we have put in place at Gloucester meets growing demand in the market place.”
Arrk's Gloucester site recently added a 3D Systems Pro 60 HD-HS machine to its fleet of laser sintering machines. Arrk has six SLS machines in England and two at its sister factory in France.
