In sectors where high performance is critical and where precision is non-negotiable, adaptability is crucial in delivering solutions to the most complex and demanding requirements.
Rapid technological advancements, market changes, and shifting regulations demand a flexible approach that ensures consistent quality and innovation.
Bespoke & Agile Production
With a legacy dating back to the 1920s, Tufnol stands as the UK’s leading supplier of precision engineering composites, trusted in some of the most demanding applications around the globe. We’ve supplied parts to some of the biggest companies around the world, including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Scheider Electric, and The London Underground, to name a few.
Unique Manufacturing Capabilities
Advanced machinery enables the creation of complex shapes, including sheets, tubes, and rods from sheets, tailored to a wide range of sizes or product specifications.
Custom Solutions
Offers semi-finished products and precision-engineered components designed to meet exacting requirements across diverse industries.
Innovative Expertise
Ability to develop custom materials to address specific challenges, ensuring adaptability and high performance.
Versatile Materials
Over 25 grades of composite materials, each with unique properties, suitable for varied applications like aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors.
Global Trust
A supplier to industry leaders such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, BAE Systems, and The London Underground.
Bespoke & Agile Production
Did you know Tufnol’s materials are used in space exploration?
Critical Components: High-performance epoxy grades support satellite telemetry systems.
Durability: Ensures longevity in extreme space conditions.
Supporting Major Projects:
In engineering, “bespoke” refers to the process of designing and manufacturing custom parts or components to meet specific, often very tight, requirements.
This involves using advanced technologies such as computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to produce high-quality, long-lasting parts that meet exact specifications.
For example, in industries like aerospace, components must meet stringent certification standards, where every part must be reliable, precise, and durable.
We’ve achieved AS9100 – 2018 and ISO 9001 – 2015 Certifications and our quality systems are routinely subjected to scrutiny by a number of independent inspection authorities and major international companies.
In addition, Tufnol recently joined the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register (JOSCAR), an accreditation system for the aerospace, defence, marine and security sectors, as a fully registered supplier.
Bespoke engineering is particularly crucial for applications where performance and quality are non-negotiable. It enables the creation of new and innovative components that not only requiring to meet tight tolerances but are also engineered to withstand demanding environments, whether in bulk or low-run production.
At Tufnol, we don’t offer an ‘off the shelf’ product range. Instead, we have a diverse portfolio of high-performance composite laminates, including paper, fabric and glass-based reinforced grades. We have over 25 grades in total, for use in electrical, mechanical and other high-performance sectors.
But, what sets us apart is what we can create from these materials. We’ve got the in-house expertise needed to adapt our materials to meet specific needs, and machine them into one-of-a-kind products that you simply cannot get anywhere else.
For years, we’ve invested heavily in our CNC machining capabilities, to the point where we now boast one of Europe’s largest CNC machining centres. This allows us to handle complex, low-run, and prototype components efficiently, without the high tooling costs associated with moulding.
Our bespoke approach to manufacturing – supported by CAD/CAM software and a Precision 3-axis/5- axis CNC machines – enables the production of tailored solutions, ensuring precision and quality of critical components for applications from aerospace to oil platforms.
We also benefit from being a part of the Diamorph Group’s Composite and Polymer Materials business unit, allowing us to leverage shared expertise, advanced resources and production capabilities and capacities.
Phil H, Internal Sales Manager at Tufnol explains, “At Tufnol, we don’t just produce a standard product; we take a base impregnated material and convert it to meet the specific requirements of our customers. When a customer provides a new CAD drawing or specification, we assess whether it’s within the capabilities of our scope of manufacturing. If it is, we manufacture it to the exact specifications or customer needs. If not, being part of the larger Diamorph Group allows us to access additional manufacturing and machining resources, ensuring we can still deliver the required solution.”
Being part of the Diamorph Group expands our capabilities. Benefits include:
In a recent example of this, we’ve utilised the Water Jet Cutting facilities at Permali’s Gloucester facility to precision manufacture an pipe support for Pod Support, based in Aberdeen. This part will be used in the demanding extremes of offshore oil rigs.
Include reason on why production was outsourced. Using composites particular Tufnol reduces the need for supports to be replaced due to corrosion in the harsh environments for these components.
Examples of Tufnol’s impact in real-world applications:
The world’s longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge spanning Scotland’s Firth of Forth:
The University of Liverpool Motorsport team turn to us for a high-voltage battery project: