Burcas increases aerospace subcontracting

In August 2008, Burcas installed a five-axis machining centre to supplement three-axis prismatic metal cutting and extensive multi-axis mill turning at its Birmingham factory.

An early job on the trunnion-type, five-axis Hermle C 40 U, from UK agent Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools, was a mild steel component for a UK aero engine manufacturer.

The outer part of the circular component requires complex features to be machined around the inside circumference, while the outside of an inner section has similar milled features.

Mike Burrows, managing director of Burcas, said: 'Our manufacture of consumable tooling has been shrinking since the 1980s, but we are still active in cutting tools and have become a major kanban stockist.

'Last year we increased this side of our business, buying a Kellenberger grinder to manufacture punches and dies for supply to the UK's leading munitions manufacturer.

'We are also one of the world's top five manufacturers of carbide knives for the paper industry.

'The aerospace sector has been growing rapidly year on year and will continue to do so until at least 2015.

'So we are building this side of our business and already have approvals from GE Aviation, Messier Dowty, Bombardier and Goodrich.

'Around 40 per cent of our GBP5m turnover is currently related to aerospace subcontracting and we intend to double that part of our business in the next few years.

It was back in 2002 that Burcas first became involved in aerospace work, having been approached by Alstom in Lincoln, which knew that the company operated a large Boehringer CNC lathe.

The relationship progressed quickly, resulting in the purchase by Burcas of five more, similar Boehringer lathes.

In 2005, Burrows went on a trade mission to Japan and came back with a 10-year contract to produce actuators for the Airbus A330, for which purpose he bought another, even larger mill-turn centre.

Further related business has since been won for producing lower side stays for the same aircraft.

At the end of 2007, knowing that Burcas operated several large capable lathes, a local aerospace manufacturer offered the subcontractor some turning work for Boeing as well as some prismatic machining for the same OEM.

The latter required high precision, four- and five-axis machining capability, which prompted the acquisition of the Hermle C 40 U.

'The UK is the second largest aerospace parts manufacturer in the world, behind the US, but it is difficult to break into.

'We always buy top quality machines, as we have found over the years that they hold accuracy better, last longer and need less maintenance,' said Burrows.

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