Thread grinders being built in Coventry - profile

In existence for over 100 years, Matrix Machine Tool is now under new owners, and is rapidly gaining new enquiries for its latest CNC thread grindinging machines.

One of the oldest and most well established names in machine tools, Matrix Machine Tool has been designing and manufacturing precision equipment for the machine tool and manufacturing industries for almost one hundred years.

Founded in 1913 by Sir Harry Harley, recorded by history as: 'a colourful figure, rugged in appearance, forthright in manner, with dynamic vigour and vivid personality', the company grew to become one of the most respected names in grinding technology.

Throughout its history, inevitably chequered as the fortunes of both the manufacturing industry and the national climate have fluctuated, the company has demonstrated remarkable determination to survive.

Investment in research and development has been continual, and the company has a long record of 'firsts' to its name, even being one of the first companies to 'cocoon' machines for transport.

It also has a long and enviable record of training, with a well-regarded apprentice school running for many years.

All these characteristics can be seen in the company of today, with a strong design and development department and a new apprentice-training programme just being inaugurated.

Sir Harry, then of course just Harry, began as an indentured apprentice to the much respected Alfred Herbert, founder of Herbert Machine Tool Manufacturers.

Convinced that the greatest need of the growing engineering industry was for better and more accurate tools and gauges, after 23 years of service in the Herbert toolroom he set up his own manufacturing plant.

Thus in 1913 Walter Tatlow, now Matrix Machine Tools (Coventry), was born.

Soon after that, production was at full capacity to meet the manufacturing demands of the first World War.

In 1920, the company's name was changed to Coventry Gauge and Tool Co The payroll had grown from 15 men to 120, with some 300 customers on the books.

It was also at this time the brand 'Matrix' made its debut, on the first of the thread grinders with which the company was to earn world-wide esteem.

One of many innovations to its credit, the company had developed single-ribbed grinding wheel, later superseded by the Matrix Multi Rib Wheel Dresser.

This in turn facilitated the development of the crush-formed multi ribbed wheel, leading to the development of thread grinding.

In 1928 a public company was formed, with many of the shares going to the employees to help fund the rapidly growing business.

By 1936, it had out-grown its premises and, on March 28th, the foundation stone was laid for the 250,000ft2 factory at Fletchamstead, the site at which the company can be found today.

Typically, as the building of each department was completed, so that department moved in and began work! Not a moment too soon, because in 1937 the introduction of rearmament in Britain made heavy demands on the company's production capabilities.

For six years it worked continuous shifts to maintain output levels.

During this period, it became closely associated with the development of the jet aero engine and was the first company to be able to machine the fir tree roots of the rotor blade.

Despite the well-documented difficulties the company experienced in the eighties and nineties, it is again thriving.

The range has been rationalised but stands at the leading edge of grinding technology with its internal and external thread grinders.

Development continues energetically - a new twin column surface grinder was launched at EMO this year and more new machines will follow.

Vice president of the company, and a time served Matrix man, David Giles said: "We are proud to still be manufacturing grinding machines after more than one hundred years, and to be doing so on the original purpose-built site".

"Our history is interesting, reflecting the fortunes of the British manufacturing industry, and our future is promising".

"We are shipping Coventry-built machines all over the world, and both the enquiry and order levels increase continually".

"Design and development is on-going, and our apprentice training scheme will provide us with the skilled people of our future.".

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