Ton up for AMRC

By Ged Henderson

26 Mar 2020

The AMRC North West team has reached another milestone in its work – its 100th SME project in Lancashire.

ELE Advanced Technologies became the 100th business in the county to benefit from the ERDF-funded support programme.

Based in Colne, ELE is a leading manufacturer of specialist components for aerospace, industrial gas turbines and commercial diesel sectors.

ELE’s precision engineering capabilities enable it to produce complex parts for turbine blades, vanes and compressor blades. It also supplies turbo charger components to the automotive sector from its manufacturing plant in Slovakia.

The company has been an integral part of the county’s aerospace supply chain with a number of blue-chip clients such as Rolls-Royce, Safran, Siemens, GE Avio, GE Power and MAN Diesel & Turbo.

The business approached the AMRC North West team to help with the development of its additive manufacturing (AM) process as it looks to provide leading edge technologies to its customer base.

ELE technical director David Dudley says: “We have extensive experience of working with the AMRC in South Yorkshire, to improve both existing processes and the potential for adopting new disruptive technologies.

Following our introduction to the AMRC North West, we have now started working with them on new projects, using their expertise that could help place ELE in a strong position as a technology leader for future business growth.”

Ian Brooks, who is technical fellow at AMRC North West, says: “‘It’s a pleasure to be working with ELE to investigate the potential of integrating AM into their services.

The novel, high value manufacturing techniques they currently offer fits a similar business model to that of producing AM components and the innovative culture that exists within the organisation is accepting of new, potentially disruptive technologies.”

AMRC North West is currently operating from a site in Preston until it moves into a purpose-built research centre on the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone in March next year.

The flagship facility has been backed by Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through growth deal funding and will act as a catalyst to boost the region’s manufacturing, helping in attracting more inward investment into the county.

The AMRC North West team is now 32-strong with staff specialising in digital manufacturing, battery assembly, machining, additive manufacturing, robotics and automation.

Opening doors

AMRC North West has helped Darwen-based manufacturer Pendle Doors design and additively manufacture a jig to allow it to apply pins to fire doors in an accurate and repeatable way.

The aim was to reduce the number of defective products and ensure current regulations are being complied with.

The company’s operations director Ryan Anderson says: “We are really happy with the end product as it helps us meet certification requirements that are vital in what we do, the product also helped improve efficiency, reduced down time and can help save lives.”

Morecambe-based Sonaspection International has also worked with AMRC North West as it looks to harness additive manufacturing to produce its products.

The SME is an internationally recognised manufacturer of flawed specimens in the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Evaluation (NDE) industry.

Its group operations manager Max Yates says: “AMRC NW was great to work with, very knowledgeable and excellent when it came to communication.”

  • As it continues to work successfully with manufacturing SMEs across Lancashire, AMRC North West is now set to deliver fully-funded technical workshops. The aim of the different workshops will be to enhance the present knowledge about the Industry 4.0 technologies. Visit https://amrc.co.uk/events for details.
  • For further information and to discuss your manufacturing challenges contact Ian Brooks, Technical Fellow at AMRC North West on 07388 693636, 01254 947110 or at [email protected]
  • For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin