“We were originally set up to produce parts for classic minis as a sister company to Mini Sport, everything from standard parts, through to competition parts and new development parts, but now we’re a much more balanced business,” says Daniel. “If we can make a profit machining it, we’ll do it.”
He continues: “In the early years, our background was not in running CNCs, we were using manual machines. When we decided to get into it, we’d never been involved with CNCs before and we knew we needed some expertise to help us.”
The move into CNC machining was not without a few missteps, however. “In all honesty we chose the wrong supplier and ended up with machines that were not up to the job and were very problematic. Both the lathe and the machining centre we bought broke down more than they were running. It was costing us a lot of money.”
The relationship with Yamazaki Mazak started from there. “I knew the salesperson, so I knew who to get in touch with. We’d always taken the view, wrongly as it turned out, that we couldn’t afford a Mazak. But it’s no good having a cheaper machine if it’s down all the time. When they came in, the people from Mazak made a lot of promises, but they’ve kept them.”
In the years since, MAD has moved quickly into advanced CNC machining, including CADCAM designs, multi-axis CNC milling and turning, prototyping and 3D laser scanning and printing work to the point where MAD is now recognised as being one of the leading suppliers of CNC produced precision engineered components to the automotive sector.
Most importantly, Mazak have supported MAD during the move into more complex machining techniques. “They held our hand a little bit at the start and have done so ever since really. All the Mazak people always seem to want to help. I think that comes from the top, it’s a family company with family values and looking after the customer is in their DNA.”
Since the early days with Mazak, MAD’s machine list has grown to include seven MSY lathes, a VTC-300, a VCN-410, a VCN-530 and a VARIAXIS i-600 5-axis machine.