£1.75m Preston Investment Strengthens ASG Aerospace Manufacturing Capacity
A £1.75 million investment at ASG Aerospace’s TGM operation in Preston is adding significant large-format machining capacity as the group prepares for continued demand from major aerospace programmes.
Three Mazak VTC-800/30SDR 5-axis machining centres have been installed at the expanded facility, strengthening TGM’s ability to manufacture complex structural components from titanium, aluminium and other aerospace materials.
The programme has taken the number of VTC-800 machines across the Preston operation to six, arranged across two production units. Together, they provide TGM with substantial capacity for sophisticated components requiring a combination of size, accuracy and repeatability.
The investment forms part of a wider programme across ASG Aerospace, which has committed more than £10 million to manufacturing technology, specialist processes and infrastructure over the past two years.
For TGM Managing Director Sarah Stephens, the development reflects the long-term requirements emerging from aerospace customers and programmes.
“We are seeing strong demand for the type of complex structural work that fits TGM’s capabilities, and this investment gives us the capacity to support that growth,” said Stephens.
“The new machines are already contributing to a manufacturing environment designed around efficient workflow, repeatability and flexibility. Alongside the technology, we are investing in our workforce, apprenticeships and skills so that our people develop with the opportunities ahead of us.”
Built in the UK, the VTC-800/30SDR combines 5-axis capability with a large machining envelope and travelling-column configuration.
TGM Director Dan Hall said the development of the additional production space has been shaped around the future requirements of aerospace manufacturing.
“Unit 24 has been developed as a high-capability machining hub with the equipment, layout and capacity to support increasingly sophisticated aerospace programmes,” he said.
“The three-machine investment gives us a strong platform for large-format 5-axis work and creates additional flexibility across the Preston operation. It also gives our customers confidence that we have the capacity and manufacturing infrastructure to support programmes over the long term.”
Further capacity is already on its way to Preston. TGM has ordered two additional machines for delivery over the coming months, extending the investment programme into 2027.
A further Mazak VTC-800/30SDR is scheduled to arrive in November, adding capacity for the machining of large airframe parts. This will be followed in January by a Vision Wide SE-31188, a large, high-power 3-axis machining centre that will strengthen TGM’s roughing capability.
Through continued investment by ASG Aerospace, ASG TGM has developed extensive expertise in 3-, 4- and 5-axis machining, with capability for components up to 4.8 metres in length.
With two further machines now approaching delivery, the Preston operation is continuing to build the capacity and manufacturing infrastructure required to support the next generation of aerospace production.
