Lamination tooling Brandauer wins Ford and tier 1 contracts for EV tooling and precision components

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Brandauer, one of Birmingham’s longest-established manufacturers, has landed two automotive programmes tied to electrification after completing a management buy-out last September.

One of Birmingham’s oldest manufacturers has secured two major automotive contracts — just months after announcing its intention to become a long-term engineering partner for its global clients. Brandauer, which competed an historic management buy-out in September last year, is working with Ford Motor Company and a leading tier 1 supplier from Eastern Europe on exciting projects to produce tooling and precision components for use in electrification.

Both partnerships are tapping into the company’s early-stage consultancy and design for manufacturing support, before following the production journey from tool design, manufacture and try-out to process automation and volume production.

The early wins reinforce the new strategic growth plan outlined after the MBO and has accelerated the firm’s move towards £12m revenues by 2029.

Rowan Crozier, CEO of Brandauer, commented: “When Stuart Berry, Dave Champman and I spoke after the recent deal, we highlighted our desire to move from a traditional stamping business to a precision engineering provider. This move will transition us from a sub-contract stamping specialist to a one-stop partner, who can scale precision metal/plastic assemblies from concept stage and prototype development, through to production ramp-up - ultimately capable of millions of component assemblies supplied globally every week. This is a long-term vision that will maximise recent investments in consultancy, design and automation capability and we are already seeing demand from existing and new clients to tap into this wraparound service.”

He continued: “Automotive is a natural home for what we do, as it demands precision components and, with the drive for electrification, is looking to push the boundaries of innovation. Contracts with Ford Motor Company and the Eastern European tier 1 supplier give us confidence that what we are offering is in demand, a demand that is also transferrable to multiple precision sectors, including defence, aerospace and power generation/management. The MBO was a massive moment in our 164-year history. Now is the time to write the next chapter that will keep world class manufacturing in Birmingham for another century!”

Employing 67 people at its Newtown facility, Brandauer has made history with the Ford Motor Company project, manufacturing a >2,500mm diameter lamination progression tool for the first time.

This includes integrated automation to stamp, bond, stack and skew larger diameter thin gauge stacks for EV applications, which are set to change the way electric motors are produced going forward.

The global car marker used design for manufacturing workshops for validation, in-depth tool design services, laser cut prototyping and machine selection knowledge to ensure the right press was utilised to achieve project budgets.

A full tool is now being manufactured and, once this is complete, collaborative learning will be shared across both businesses by exploiting Brandauer’s Precision Tooling academy, run in partnership with In-Comm Training.

Rowan went on to add: “The tier 1 automotive work is based on a similar approach, again tapping into our comprehensive precision engineering capability.

“This time, we are working with the client to create a fully automated production assembly line, with three world class production tools at its heart — delivering maximum efficiency and tolerances.”

He concluded: “For Brandauer, these new contracts aren’t just a symbol of new business. It’s a symbol of a new beginning. Both companies have recognised our expertise in multiple sectors of the process, and this has ensured better communication and faster lead times by cutting out third-party suppliers, so the end-to-end projects can be completed under one roof.”

Brandauer has committed to securing the global IATF 16949 automotive certification by 2027, complementing existing ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 quality standards.

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