Supply chain programme helps Kilgour double in size

A Lancashire engineering company has doubled in size over the past year after implementing a carefully devised investment and expansion programme.

Kilgour Industries, based in Thornton-Cleveleys, specialises in the machining and surface treatments of components - particularly those used by aerospace companies.

Some of its key customers include Aircelle, Eaton Aerospace, GKN Aerospace and Unison Engine Components.

Managing director Ray Kilgour said that sales have risen dramatically over the past year, on the back of organic growth as well as new contract wins. The secret to success has been to offer a wide-ranging services, which allow it to provide a one-stop shop.

Since the company was founded in 1966, it has specialised in machining titanium, aluminium, inconel, steel and brass. Sister company, Kilgour Metal Treatments, founded in 1998 - expands the service offering to include Non Destructive Testing as well as penetrant, magnetic, anodic and visual surface treatments.

It also offers 'wet processes'. (For the technically minded, these include: chromic acid anodize, alocrom 1200 and passivation of stainless steels, as well as a range of coatings.)

Mr Kilgour said: "We've developed a one-stop shop for companies that require the machining and surface treatments of components, and this has enabled us to win more contracts from aerospace companies.

"Additionally, we are looking beyond our traditional sector, to provide machining and surface treatments to companies operating in others. This policy’s reaping benefits and another reason why we've grown over the past year."

Another driver of success has been to seek help from people who have done it before. This was facilitated through the ASCE (Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence) programme, managed by North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA).

Mr Kilgour said: “For an SME in the manufacturing sector, we were grateful for support in adopting formal procedures and practices to help in our growth. The NWAA has shown a great commitment to helping businesses work their way from being classed as a ‘learner’ through to a ‘world class’ business.

"Through the NWAA ASCE programme we received guidance from our mentor at Rolls Royce, assisting and advising us, engaging with staff and management and helping us look at the situation through different eyes. This was invaluable.”

“Traditionally, the aerospace sector has consisted of many companies operating a closed shop, reluctant to give up what they felt were trade secrets. Now we are in a position where there is constant dialogue along the supply chain, with companies able to learn from others. It’s more of an open book.

These developments have also led Kilgour to gain Bombardier approval in 2010 - which means that it is one of the manufacturer’s approved suppliers.

“The NWAA helps us to continue to communicate with the 'Primes' - those large industry-leading companies. As the aerospace market grows and other countries develop their sectors, such as South America, the Middle East and the Far East, it is increasingly important to remain to be seen as a global player and to remain on the radar of the primes.”

Mr Kilgour rounds off with a firm endorsement of the NWAA service. "The NWAA is good at putting people together - if it sees an opportunity for the region it grabs it with both hands, and we have had a lot of help from them.”