Company Announcement

New Investors for RP Technologies Ltd

We are pleased to announce new investment into RP Technologies Ltd from a small group of investors led by Alistair Schofield, a senior executive with over 30 years of experience in the precision engineering sector.

The new investors will work alongside the existing management team to develop and grow the business, with Alistair Schofield becoming Chairman. The addition of new investors will provide secure foundations for the future development of the company and will also enable current Managing Director, Darren Withers, to progressively hand over his responsibilities as he moves towards retirement.

Alistair Schofield commented: “We are delighted to have made this investment into RP Technologies. Darren and his co-shareholders have been tremendously successful in building RP Technologies into one of the UK’s leading toolmakers and providers of high quality, complex manufacturing solutions, with a wide range of customers across several different sectors.”

“We have ambitious plans to continue the development of the business, and I look forward to working alongside Darren and the management team as we seek to innovate and improve and continue to support our many loyal customers with their requirements.”

Co-founder and Managing Director, Darren Withers, said: “The time is right to begin the transition in leadership of the company, and I am confident that as I move towards retirement, the management team of the business under Alistair’s stewardship will continue to take the business forward, with a strong focus on customer service and operational excellence. The new investors have strong manufacturing experience and will bring ideas, innovation and a real passion for developing RP so that it can reach even greater heights.”

RP Technologies would like to thank you for your continued support.

If you have any questions, please contact us on +44 (0)121 550 5868, or email info@rptechnologies.co.uk.

Black Friday 2024

Sale on Mouldings at RP!

Black Friday is nearly upon us and RP Technologies would like to celebrate in style.

2024 has been another good year for us, and, as a way of showing our gratitude to you, we’re giving away 10% on all new moulding orders from existing tooling.

This offer is valid throughout November and December and applies to all items delivered before the end of the year.

It does not apply to standing orders which customers may already have with us. It applies only to new moulding orders placed in November or December.

So, if you need to top up your supply of injection moulded plastic parts, now might be a good time to place an order while there are still savings to be had!

There is no minimum order quantity, and mouldings must be ordered from existing tooling rather than new tooling currently in production.

The mould shop gets busy quickly, so get your order in while you can to ensure you’re not disappointed. As soon as we reach capacity, we may not be able to commit to further orders.

This limited-time offer would be ideal for regular customers who need parts on an ongoing basis, as well as customers who place a series of repeat orders with us throughout the year.

It would also be perfect for budget holders who are looking to spend whatever’s left in their annual budget before the new calendar year begins.

Whatever your reasons might be, it’s the perfect time of year to make a saving.

If you need low-medium volume parts, we’d like to hear from you. You can email your specific requirements to info@rptechnologies.co.uk, or you can call +44 (0)121 550 5868.

Long-Serving Toolmaker Announces His Retirement

Goodbye, Terry Spinks

One of RP Technologies’ longest-serving members of staff has announced his retirement.

Terry Spinks, who joined RP on 6th October 2008, is to retire on 18th October 2024, bringing to an end his sixteen-year stint with the company.

Terry has produced high quality work for RP for many years as one of our most experienced toolmakers. During this time, Terry has helped to craft some of the most innovative and complex tools we’ve produced. These tools have supplied parts to the automotive, aerospace, and medical sectors, as well as many other industries.

Last year, RP celebrated the manufacture of its 2000th tool. People like Terry are the reason why we have been so successful for so long. His loyalty, good work, and willingness to support his fellow toolmakers has enabled RP to produce high quality tooling within very competitive lead times.

In addition to his own work, Terry has always been willing to support the younger members of our team. He has imparted his knowledge, offered guidance, and has helped many of our apprentices over the years to grow and develop as young toolmakers. Many of these apprentices have now gone on to have very successful careers in the toolmaking industry.

Terry is now looking forward to having a bit of time for himself. When asked how he was planning to spend his retirement, Terry said: “The big thing we would like to do is move house. We are planning to buy a property over in Wales. It’s a beautiful part of the world and I have always wanted to live by the sea. In the short term, I’m just looking forward to not having to get up and brave the winter weather early in the morning.”

Terry has a wife and three daughters. He also has quite a few grandchildren. “I have five grandchildren whom I see regularly, but, in total, I have fifteen grandchildren.”

When reflecting on his time at RP, Terry said: “You couldn’t find a better place to work than RP. I’ve enjoyed my time here. I’ve particularly enjoyed the many social events that we’ve had – the Christmas parties, climbing Ben Nevis and Mount Snowdon, the Butlins weekend. But I’ve also just enjoyed being around the guys on the shopfloor.”

Terry added: “I’m very grateful to Darren and Lisa. They’ve given me an opportunity to work here for such a long time. In today’s world, that’s not something you can take for granted.”

Darren Withers, Director, was quick to pay tribute to Terry’s contribution to the company. He said: “Terry has served RP with great distinction during his time here. To complete 16 years of service with a single employer is a wonderful achievement.

Terry has been a key part of our toolmaking team and has played a central role in the manufacture of many tools for our customers.

We would like to thank him for his contribution, and to wish him a very happy retirement.”

Terry – from everyone at RP, we wish you all the very best!

Q&A with…. Craig Partridge

Getting to Know.... Craig

What is your role at RP Technologies?

I work in the injection moulding department and my title is Operations Supervisor.

How long have you been with the company?

I’ve been here for nearly nine years.

What do you most like doing outside work?

I like walking, particularly walking the dogs.

What’s your favourite film?

My favourite film is Superman, the original, with Christopher Reeve.

What’s your favourite song?

That’s a tough one because I listen to all types of songs. At the moment, my favourite one is by Linkin Park, and it’s called Emptiness Machine.

Favourite band or solo artist

Right, it might sound daft, but my favourite solo artist is Robbie Williams. And if we continue the 90s theme, my favourite band is probably Oasis.

Who are your 3 ultimate dinner party guests?

For me, it would always have to be stand-up comedians, so I’d probably have Peter Kay, Lee Evans, and Stuart Francis.

If you had to go to the pub with one person at RP, who would you choose?

I think, currently, I’d probably go with Luke Morgan.

What’s the top item on your bucket list?

That’s a tough one. It’s not something I’ve ever thought about. I suppose if I had to choose one thing it would be going to Vegas.

Top holiday destination

My top holiday destination out of all the places I’ve been to would have to be Egypt.

Favourite TV programme of all time

If you’re talking about a series, I would probably pick Breaking Bad.

What would be your last meal if you could choose?

That’s another tough question. I think I would have to go for a Tomahawk Steak.

Who’s your celebrity crush?

That’s an easy one for me – and my Mrs will probably confirm this – my ultimate celebrity crush is Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Favourite drink

It depends what mood I’m in. I do like a nice German beer, but I also like a nice red wine. If you put a gun to my head and I had to choose, I’d go for a German beer.

Favourite flavour crisps

I’d probably go for Cheese and Onion.

Favourite type of chocolate

That’s a tough one as well. I do love a Twix.

Star sign

Aquarius.

What are your 3 pet hates?

Untidiness. This is a very sore point for me given that I live with three kids. My second pet hate would have to be other drivers on the road. And, finally, I’d have to say people who go around littering. There’s just no need for it.

Tell us one exciting thing you’re planning to do in the next year

Well, it’s not really a treat for me, but my partner is a very big fan of Busted and McFly, and they’ve just announced a tour for 2025 called Busted vs. McFly. So, I’ve booked some tickets for next year as a surprise, which I’m planning to reveal to her this weekend on her birthday.

What is your favourite RP memory?

A memory which is always special to me is from when I first started here in November 2014. The company was kind enough to invite me to the Christmas party at Birmingham NEC. It was a black-tie event, and they had a fun fair and a casino and so on, and I thought, to invite me, even though I’d only just started here, was a really nice touch. They actually invited me before I’d even come to work on my first day. That’s always stayed in the back of my mind.

More New Recruits

RP Adds to its Workforce Again!

As part of our continuing drive to keep up with growing demand for our services, RP Technologies is delighted to announce the appointments of two new members of staff.

Reece Walker and Scott Wootton have joined our production team with immediate effect.

Reece has joined our toolmaking department. He has gained experience in a variety of toolmaking roles, and we believe he will bring a lot of enthusiasm to his new role with us.

After amassing several years of experience in similar roles elsewhere, Scott has joined our CNC machining department. We’re confident that he will prove to be a very valuable asset and will contribute to the good work done by the existing CNC machining team.

As we continue to expand and develop our services, we aim to continue to grow our workforce at a steady and sustainable pace. This means that there will be future opportunities for individuals who are either keen to begin a career in manufacturing, or for those already in production-based roles who would like to take the next step up the ladder.

We’re happy to be at the forefront of the industry, by continuing to provide capable and motivated individuals with the opportunity to progress within the UK manufacturing sector.

We are currently looking for another Toolmaker and CNC Programmer. If you think you have what it takes to excel in either role, please email your CV and a covering letter to info@rptechnologies.co.uk. More information on these roles can be found on our website.

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Reece and Scott to the team, and to wish them every success in their future positions here at RP Technologies.

Precision Toolmaker Who is Also a Passionate Pilot

The Sky's the Limit for Precision Toolmaker

Meet Andy Dennies: skilled toolmaker during the week, passionate flight instructor at weekends.

While most people unwind after a long week at work by kicking back and relaxing, Andy finds solace in the skies.

As a qualified pilot, Andy has been flying aeroplanes for 18 years.

“I get a real buzz out of flying,” Andy reveals. “There’s no feeling quite like it. I do a lot of things outside of my work as a toolmaker with RP Technologies, including cycling, scuba diving, cooking, and paddleboarding. But nothing quite comes close to being up there in the sky on a clear summer’s day.

You just feel such a sense of freedom. It really is quite liberating.”

From Toolmaking to Piloting

Andy’s love for aviation began when he was a child. As a boy, he and his friends used to make aeroplanes out of old pieces of wood.

As he grew into a man, his fascination with aeroplanes became even stronger. A friend of Andy’s became a qualified pilot, and this provided Andy with the necessary motivation to proactively pursue his dream of flying.

Andy earned his pilot’s licence in 2007, becoming a highly skilled pilot of single-engine aircraft.

But Andy’s passion for aviation didn’t stop there. He soon realised that he had a natural talent for teaching others to fly. In his spare time, he began studying to become a qualified flight instructor.

“I felt I had the right skills to become an effective instructor”, Andy says. “In my work as a toolmaker at RP Technologies, I have helped to develop several apprentice toolmakers over the years. I enjoy helping others, and I thought I could do the same in the cockpit.

I was keen to spend my time in the skies, tutoring people who are novices so that they could become proficient pilots. I just needed to study hard so that I could qualify as an instructor first.”

In 2013, Andy passed his exams and became a qualified instructor.

Making the Change from Pilot to Instructor

With his qualifications secure, Andy took to the skies with great gusto.

Andy was keen to impart his skills to those who shared his passion for flying. His patience, knowledge, and expertise have earned him a loyal base of students, all of whom have benefited greatly from his guidance.

Andy has taught 10 people to fly over the years. On average, Andy gives about 70 lessons per year.

Andy can proudly lay claim to several success stories in his time as a flight instructor. “I taught a young man called Andy Moores. Andy had never been in a cockpit before he met me. He is now a commercial pilot for Ryanair. Seeing him develop his career in this way and become a successful pilot is immensely satisfying.”

For Andy, the pleasure of seeing someone without any flying skills learn to become a pilot under his tutelage is almost as great as the pleasure he gets from flying himself.

“I particularly enjoy seeing my students go from complete novices to confident, expert pilots.

It’s satisfying to know that I have taught them a skill which is fairly exceptional. After all, you don’t meet too many pilots!”

Not too long ago, Andy started teaching Kieran Wellings. Kieran began his lessons with Andy when he was only 14 years old. Kieran, like Andy Moores before him, has ambitions to become a commercial pilot. Now 18, Kieran has passed his flying exams and is currently working in the Control Tower at the airport where Andy taught him to fly.

“I remember standing in the Control Tower with Kieran’s mother and Andy’s father,” Andy recalls, “when they both went up on their maiden solo flights. The parents of newly qualified pilots are obviously very proud of them in these moments, and so am I.

For me as the instructor, though, I’m always too scared to enjoy the moment completely! But they both acquitted themselves very well indeed.”

Teaching the Next Generation of Commercial Pilots

Andy Moores now earns his living by utilising the skills that Andy has taught him.

Andy M is full of praise for Andy’s teachings, and he can’t recommend him highly enough:

“I started learning to fly with Andy Dennies in 2016. His contagious enthusiasm for flying and flight training meant I caught the aviation bug right from the very beginning.

Andy is a first-class flight instructor and always helped me to get the most out of my lessons. This meant I progressed quickly. He is extremely professional, considerate, funny, and is a brilliant teacher.

It was noticeable how he really did take the time and effort to explain things in such a way that I would understand them first time.

Thank you, Andy, for helping me through my PPL. I have learnt skills that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career.”

Without Andy’s teachings, Andy M would not have the opportunities he has today – flying passengers around the world on commercial flights for Ryanair.

Balancing Life as a Toolmaker with Flying

Andy has been with RP Technologies for just over a decade now. He joined the company back in August 2023. During this time, he has been a committed toolmaker who has contributed to a variety of very important toolmaking projects for RP’s customers.

Toolmaking and flying may seem like an unlikely combination, but for Andy, they’re not all that different. He takes the same meticulous approach to his work in the toolroom and his time in the cockpit, ensuring that every detail is carefully accounted for.

“There are similarities to both roles,” Andy explains. “They may appear completely different, but both occupations rely on precision, attention to detail, and fine margins.”

Despite his demanding job as a toolmaker, Andy always manages to find time for flying and instructing. He is currently busy preparing a local scientist for his flying exam.

Andy’s Role at The Flying School

Andy is a Senior Flying Instructor and Examiner at The Flying School. The Flying School is located at Halfpenny Green Airport in Bobbington, which is just outside Wolverhampton. Andy has been based at Halfpenny in Bobbington for 11 years.

Andy’s dedication has made him a valued and well-respected figure in the local aviation community.

His flying qualifications include:

  • Commercial pilot’s licence
  • Multi-engine instrument rating
  • Frozen airline transport licence
  • Flight instructor
  • Qualified to teach single engine piston, night rating, and IR/R
  • Flight examiner

In the summer of 2024, Andy added to this impressive list of qualifications by passing his latest flying exam. He can now teach would-be flyers to pilot multi engine rating aircraft.

Andy’s Other Activities

With his toolmaking in the week and his flying at weekends, it’s a wonder Andy has any time to do anything else. But Andy is seldom found standing still for very long. He is always filling his free hours with one leisure pursuit after another.

“I swim three mornings a week before work. That’s in addition to all the other physical pursuits I do. I like to keep active, and I’m interested in many different things.”

And now that he’s conquered the air, Andy has his sights firmly set on the seas:

“My next ambition,” Andy reveals, “is to sail a 30 ft. yacht. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, if only to see if the sea is as good for the soul as the skies are!”

Find Out More

If you have an interest in flying, or would like to possibly learn to fly yourself, you can visit the Flying School website to find out more.

Alternatively, if you’d like to find out more about Andy’s piloting, please send him an email with your questions.

RP Welcomes New Toolmaker

Richard Turner Joins RP as a Toolmaker

RP Technologies is delighted to announce the appointment of a new toolmaker.

Richard Turner has recently joined us at the end of June. Richard will offer RP strong experience of the toolmaking sector, having worked previously in several toolmaking roles.

Richard joins us at an exciting time for RP. The last year has been an extremely busy time for our toolmakers, who have had to juggle several high priority projects all at once.

Richard is already settling into his new role. He has integrated well with the existing toolmakers, and he is already getting a chance to demonstrate his skills.

Investing in People

The toolmaking department has grown significantly in recent times, with many new appointments. Some of these positions are newly created roles, whilst other new employees have been recruited to replace toolmakers who have now retired.

This is all part of RP Technologies’ commitment to continuing to strengthen and develop its workforce at every level.

We have invested in all areas of our production, taking on new CNC Programmers, new Injection Moulding Technicians, and new Quality Engineers. In addition to this investment in personnel, we have also added new state-of-the-art machinery in various departments.

Richard joins us at an exciting time, as we continue to grow and develop as a business, improving and developing our team while retaining a core of highly experienced and loyal professionals who have been the bedrock of RP’s success over the last nineteen years.

With a perfect blend of youth and experience, we are ideally equipped to handle the challenges which lie ahead, and to take advantage of the opportunities which the market has to offer us.

Further Toolmaking Opportunities

In addition to Richard’s appointment, we are also currently recruiting for another new toolmaker, start date yet to be confirmed.

If you have the necessary skills and experience, we’d like to hear from you. Please send us your CV, outlining how your skills and experience meet the criteria outlined in the job advertisement.

Deadline for receipt of CVs is 22nd July 2024.

Toolmaker Retires After Nearly 18 Years

Toolmaker Retires After Years of Loyal Service

Keith Culwick, a Toolmaker at RP Technologies, has retired after nearly 18 years of service.

Keith joined RP in November 2006 and was one of our longest-serving employees.

Keith has been an integral part of RP’s toolroom for nearly two decades. He has, along with his colleagues, contributed greatly to the success of our toolmaking operations.

Always punctual, always hardworking, Keith has devoted a lot of effort to RP over the years. He is a well-liked and valuable member of the team.

Keith has also been a great example to our younger toolmakers, many of whom he has helped to develop by imparting his skills and knowledge to them.

Keith has been a toolmaker for 50 years. Prior to joining RP, Keith worked at Michael J. Billingham, a toolmaking and patternmaking company in the West Midlands.

Keith has known the owner of RP Technologies, Darren Withers, for over half a century. Of Keith’s contribution, Darren said: “Keith has been a very loyal, trustworthy, and supportive member of the team. I have had the pleasure of knowing Keith for several decades, and he has always demonstrated great commitment to RP during his time here.

He has produced good quality work for us over a sustained period. Along with his colleagues, he has helped us to build a reputation within the industry for toolmaking excellence.

Everyone at RP recognises his contributions over the past seventeen and a half years. On behalf of RP, I would like to thank him for his efforts, and wish him a very happy retirement.”

Keith can now look forward to spending some quality time with his family and grandchildren.

Keith will also be enjoying some nice holidays away in his caravan, as well as finding as much time as possible for the odd round of golf here and there.

From everyone at RP Technologies, we would like to thank you for your contribution to the company over the years, and to wish you a fantastic retirement.

RP Technologies Celebrates its 19th Anniversary

Our 19th Anniversary is Upon Us!

RP Technologies is thrilled to announce that we are celebrating our 19th anniversary!

Over nearly two decades, we have grown from a small startup to a leading player in the toolmaking, injection moulding, and CNC machining industry.

Our success during this period is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our team, as well as the trust and support of our loyal customers.

We take great pride in our ability to deliver precision-engineered aluminium tooling, injection moulded parts, and CNC machined prototypes.

RP was founded in the summer of 2005. Since then, we have been committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective manufacturing services. Our cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment have allowed us to stay at the forefront of the industry, constantly improving our processes and expanding our capabilities.

As we look back on the past 19 years, we reflect on the progress we’ve made. From launching new services to expanding to a new purpose-built manufacturing facility, we have continuously strived for excellence and innovation. Our experienced team of toolmakers, injection moulding technicians, CNC machinists, quality engineers, and CAD designers are always pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

It is this unique ‘Without Limits’ approach that has set us apart from our competitors.

One of the keys to our success has been our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. We understand that our clients rely on us to deliver high-quality products in a timely manner, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Our dedication to building strong, long-lasting relationships with our customers has been instrumental in our growth and success as a company. That’s why we’re “Partners not Suppliers.”

As the years have gone on, we have consistently attempted to improve efficiencies and make savings where possible. These savings have been passed on to the customer.

Over the years, we have also prioritised our corporate social responsibility agenda. We recognise the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and minimising waste in our manufacturing processes. That is why we have implemented several eco-friendly initiatives, such as recycling programmes and the use of energy-efficient equipment, to help us to reduce our impact on the environment.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the future. With the rapid advancements in technology and the increasing demand for innovative products, we are confident that we are well-positioned to continue our growth and success in the years to come. We are committed to staying at the cutting edge of our industry, embracing new technologies and techniques to better serve our customers and fulfil their evolving needs.

On behalf of the RP Technologies team, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our customers, partners, and employees for your sustained support over the past 19 years. We are truly grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in us. We look forward to many more years of success and collaboration together.

Here’s to another 19 years of innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction!

Recycling for World Environment Day

RP’s Commitment to Recycling Excellence Continues

As we prepare for World Environment Day on Wednesday 5th June, we thought it would be worthwhile to point out that we take our environmental responsibilities as a manufacturer very seriously here at RP Technologies.

As a toolmaking, CNC machining, and injection moulding operation, we produce metal, aluminium, and plastic waste as part of our daily production processes.

We’re fully committed to recycling every last bit of metal or plastic that doesn’t get used in the products which we produce.

This commitment has led to us partnering with a number of our customers to recycle redundant tools which are obsolete and for which there is no longer any requirement.

This activity has led to the recycling of over 300 aluminium tools. During times when raw materials have become scarcer to source and the price of aluminium is increasing all the time, we believe that making aluminium available for reuse will make a big difference to our supply chain partners, the wider industry, and the overall environment.

In addition to this, we also recycle our excess plastic material. In September 2022, we teamed up with our latest environmental partner, MBA Polymers, to recycle plastic material from our injection moulding projects.

Since working with MBA, RP Technologies has recycled over 3.25 tonnes of plastic. This has saved this plastic waste from going to landfill and has allowed it to be repurposed for secondary use elsewhere.

This is a fantastic achievement in what has been approximately only a year and a half of working with MBA.

Material which cannot be repurposed, either because it is not suitable or because it contains mixed constituents, is shredded, and processed to separate the good single grade material. Any material which cannot be separated is used as an alternative source of fuel.

Overall, our work in this area has allowed us to improve our carbon footprint and to contribute, in our small part, to making the earth a greener, more sustainable place.

RP Invests in New Delivery Van

New Delivery Van to Keep Us Ahead of Schedule

Following a very successful last 12 months, RP Technologies has now invested in a new delivery van.

This new van will provide RP’s delivery service with greater flexibility. It will also ensure that we continue to stay ahead of schedule.

Getting injection moulded parts delivered on time every time is one of our core business principles. By improving our resources, we can ensure that we are well equipped to deal with the fast turnaround of tooling and parts.

Our new delivery van is a Renault Master. It has a large amount of storage space in the rear, and it is well equipped to distribute parts up and down the country. This ensures that we can provide an efficient, reliable, and professional delivery service for our customers’ plastic injection moulded components.

Corporate Branding for New Delivery Van

 

We’ve recently had our corporate branding added to the delivery van. This work was carried out by Sure Signs, who are only around the corner to our production facility here in Kingswinford.

The branding includes our company name and logo. It also communicates our key brand values and purpose – as aluminium tooling and plastic injection moulding specialists.

Sure Signs also completed the branding on our other van.

Delivery Van Will Support Collection and Delivery Service

 

We offer a collection and delivery service for existing tooling which customers may want to relocate from their current supplier. For customers who are looking to move existing tooling, we can collect tooling and bring it to our production facility.

We can also collect parts from customers who want us to support them with CMM inspection. Our new Sub-contract CMM measurement service includes an optional collection and delivery service.

We can also transport the injection moulded parts we manufacture for our customers to their business premises. This is the case for standard injection moulding projects, as well as for RP Rapid projects.

Find Out More About Collection and Delivery

 

If you’d like to find out more about the collection and delivery options which are available for your manufacturing projects, please contact us.

RP Launches New Sub-Contract CMM Inspection Service

New CMM Inspection Service

RP Technologies is pleased to announce that from March 2024 we will be offering a new sub-contract CMM inspection and measurement service.

This service will provide metrology, CMM measurement, quality inspection, and quality engineering solutions to companies whose parts have been manufactured by third party suppliers.

We will offer a cost-effective solution for manufacturers, engineers, product design agencies, OEMs, and Tier 1 suppliers, both in the UK and across Europe.

This new CMM inspection and measurement service will supplement the many Quality Engineering services which we already provide to the marketplace.

It will also herald a new dawn for RP’s Quality Engineering department, in that it will be the first time RP has provided a CMM inspection service for parts made by third party suppliers.

This new service will have many benefits for customers. It will provide an expert and unbiased appraisal of tooling and parts, and it will also be supported by full documentation. We will offer comprehensive reporting for one-off and multi-batch inspections. We will also provide an advice and consultation service where our Quality Engineers will conduct a 1-hour online meeting with each customer to talk them through the findings of their report.

All work will be conducted in-house at our purpose-built 25,000 sq. ft. production facility. Measurement and inspection work will be carried out in our fully air-conditioned temperature-controlled quality engineering room.

This latest service follows the launch of our very successful fast turnaround service for tooling and parts, RP Rapid, which launched in May 2022. RP Rapid provides tooling and parts to customers in as little as 7 business days.

The launch of this new CMM service demonstrates our commitment to making RP Technologies a single-source, one-stop-shop solution for all your manufacturing needs. We want to be able to offer as many high quality, relevant services as possible within the disciplines of toolmaking, injection moulding, CNC machining and quality engineering.

This latest venture will go some way towards helping us to achieve that.

For more information, please visit our CMM inspection page, or contact us for an informal discussion.

RP Gains its 2000th LinkedIn Follower

LinkedIn Success

RP Technologies has recently gained its 2000th follower on social media platform, LinkedIn.

RP started sharing content on the popular networking site for professionals several years ago. Since then, we have seen a steady and significant increase in the number of followers.

Much of RP’s work is covered by non-disclosure agreements and confidentiality clauses, so we’re always limited by what we can show. However, we choose content very carefully, and we try to inform and engage our followers by giving them an insight into the type of work we do. We post photographs, videos, news items, blog links, industry-related content, and employment opportunities.

Our followers consist of a variety of stakeholders, including customers, partners, potential buyers, company employees, and rival organisations.

Our standing in this online community is a reflection of our commitment to engage with all parties in the supply chain who have an interest in the company’s products and services.

We are happy to engage in all aspects of thought leadership and opinion forming for our industry. We use our LinkedIn profile page as a way of sharing our expertise, experience, and advice on all things in relation to toolmaking, injection moulding, rapid prototyping, CNC machining, and CMM inspection.

If you’re not already following us, please make sure you do so by logging into your LinkedIn account and searching for ‘RP Technologies.’ You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our social media activities over the years, particularly those who currently follow us and engage with our content, either by reading, liking, commenting, or sharing.

Here’s to the next 2000 followers….

Following Us on LinkedIn?

If you’d like to get involved and join the conversation, please go to LinkedIn and follow us.

High Shine Specialist Finish for Aluminium Tool

High Shine Finish

RP Technologies provides a range of specialist finishing options for each of the tools we manufacture.

Not all tools require specialist finishes, but it may be necessary in some cases to manufacture a tool which has a particular surface finish.

There are multiple finishing options available. The type of finishing option chosen will depend upon the final application of the end component, the functionality that needs to be achieved, its cosmetic requirements, and its performance objectives.

Some of these finishing options include texturing and graining, bead blasting, and engraving.

But there are many other options which are also available.

For instance, we were recently asked by a customer of ours to create a tool with a mirror finish. This finishing option was necessary because a gloss finish was needed for the final moulded component.

The benching team in our onsite toolroom were responsible for creating this mirror finish.

The finishing process was long, and involved a lot of dedicated and focused work, where care and attention to detail were essential requirements of the process. The benching team went through different grades of paper, taking the cutter marks out at grade 400, before putting the paper marks in. They then alternated with smoother paper from grades 800 – 2000 until they managed to create a smoother finish.

Polish was then added to achieve the high mirror shine.

In all, the polishing process took about a week to complete.

Our customer was extremely happy with the finished results.

Want to Know More?

If you’d like to find out more about our many finishing options, please visit  https://rptechnologies.co.uk/aluminium-tooling-finishes.

This link contains some of our most regularly employed finishes, but it is by no means a comprehensive list of all our finishing options. So, if you can’t find the particular type of finish you’re looking for, please email info@rptechnologies.co.uk, or call +44 (0)121 550 5868.

You can also read our technical article, ‘Decorative Finishes in Toolmaking.’ This article examines the function of decorative finishing, how it is achieved, and what types of products benefit from this these finishes.

RP Enjoys Very Successful Period

Great Success for RP

2023 was RP Technologies’ busiest year to date.

We were extremely busy across all sides of the business, with our toolmaking, injection moulding, and CNC machining departments working to full capacity for much of the year.

Orders were flying in from new and existing customers to such an extent that we have, in the past 12 months, increased our staffing in every single production department. We have taken on new Toolmakers, CNC Programmers, Machine Operators, and Quality Engineers.

These additions have helped to ensure that we continue to honour the quality expectations which we set for ourselves, whilst also enabling us to meet our promised lead times to customers.

All this endeavour helped to make 2023 the 4th most successful year in RP Technologies’ 18-year trading history.

We expected this frenzy of activity to diminish as the year reached its conclusion. However, as we reached December, we began to receive a raft of new orders. This meant that we were still ordering materials right up until Christmas, in order to ensure that we finished these projects before we closed for the winter holidays.

We ended up having our best December on record. This is something we are particularly proud of, given that December was only a three-week month, and it is typically a time when things tend to go a little bit quieter, as people start to wind down for the Christmas break.

And 2024 has started in much the same way as 2023 left off, with lots of new interest in our work from old and new stakeholders.

All this increased interest and activity bodes well for the future.

We would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported us during this period. We thank you for your custom and we look forward to continuing to work with you in 2024.

Please contact us if you have any new projects for toolmaking, injection moulding, rapid prototyping, or CNC machining, and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Here’s to a great 2024….

Christmas Jumper Day

RP Raises Money for Good Cause

On Thursday 7th December 2023, RP Technologies participated in Christmas Jumper Day.

This very special occasion sees everyone wearing silly jumpers in order to raise awareness for a very good cause, and, just as importantly, to raise some money for Save the Children.

Save the Children do some incredible work for children who are experiencing serious hardships, such as war, hunger, and poverty.

With everything that is currently going on in the world, particularly in Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, Africa, and in the Israel/Palestine conflict, this type of activity is more important than ever.

RP Technologies was more than happy to get involved in whatever way we could, in order to make a small contribution to the collective effort.

This year we managed to raise £50.

We have participated in Christmas Jumper Day for several years now, and we will continue to do so in the many years that lie ahead.

Well done to each of our employees who participated in this worthwhile event. We would like to say a big thank you to all those who donated to this very important cause.

It’s a Busy Summer for RP Technologies

Fast Times at RP

2023 has been extremely busy for RP. We’ve been receiving orders and issuing quotations right, left and centre. We’ve taken on projects for existing customers, as well as building relationships with companies whom we have haven’t worked with before.

We’ve been busy, busy, busy.

And it looks like there will be no respite through the summer months either.

Traditionally, things start to slow down as people go on holiday in July. But not this year.

Last month was RP’s best July on record. This follows a very strong performance in June.

Even now in August, we continue to receive new business and more fresh enquiries.

We’ve seen a big increase in the amount of toolmaking and injection moulding orders which have come our way during this period. We have also added several new customers during this period.

In addition, our CNC machining department has had its busiest year on record. To cope with this increased demand, we have had to take on new CNC Programmers and we have also had to invest in some new state-of-the-art 5-axis CNC machining centres.

We’ve been busy across all areas of our business, and we are looking to end the year on a high.

Thank you to everyone for their continued support during this period.

RP is Recruiting!

RP on the Lookout for Talent

RP Technologies has been extremely busy in 2023, with increased orders and enquiries throughout the year.

To cope with this demand, we’ve expanded our workforce throughout the year by 10%.

With the volume of new orders continuing to gather pace, this upsurge in activity shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

Consequently, we find ourselves looking to expand our workforce all over again.

We are now recruiting for a new CNC Programmer to join our busy CNC machining department.

The CNC Programmer will be responsible for operating either a 3-axis or 5-axis CNC machine to perform a range of milling and turning operations on complex metal and plastic parts.

The successful candidate will be able to set up and operate the CNC machine independently, whilst working to their own initiative to complete the machining of the workpiece.

The candidate will need to be capable of reading and interpreting instructions from CAD design software, and they must also be able to machine components to tight tolerances.

Previous experience of offline programming, as well as 5-axis CNC programming, is essential. Experience of NCG software is desirable but not essential, as some training will be provided.

The role is full time, days, permanent, Monday-Friday only.

If you think you have what it takes to succeed in this role, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email your CV to info@rptechnologies.co.uk, or call +44 (0)121 550 5868.

Busy Times for RP’s CNC Machining Department

CNC Machining Success

RP Technologies’ CNC Machining Department is going through an incredibly busy period.

We’ve received a large amount of CNC machining projects in the past couple of months. Our 3-axis and 5-axis CNC machining centres have been inundated with prototype and low-medium volume production orders.

Demand has been so great that we have had to employ two new CNC Machinists to ensure that we meet our commitment on lead times.

This increased workload comes at an opportune time. At the end of last year, RP Technologies invested in a new state-of-the-art 5-axis Hurco CNC machining centre.

The #Hurco VMX60SRTi has an advanced Ultimotion feature for reduced cycle time, enhanced version 10 software, and an ergonomically designed control console.

It’s the perfect CNC machining partner for prototype or low-medium volume components.

In addition to this increased CNC activity, we’ve also seen a rapid increase in tooling orders. Things have been so busy that we’ve had to recruit new toolmakers just to stay ahead of the curve.

Our mould shop has been the main beneficiary of this increased demand for tooling, with plastic injection mouldings suddenly being required from these new tools.

So, all things considered, it’s been a busy old time at RP. Having said all of that, we’re still very much open for business!

If you have any CNC machining, plastic injection moulding, or aluminium tooling requirements, please do not hesitate to call +44 (0)121 550 5868.

Thank you for your continued support.

RP Technologies Launches New Website

New Website for RP

RP Technologies is pleased to announce the launch of its new website, which showcases our very best toolmaking, injection moulding, CNC machining, and rapid prototyping.

RP has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years. As part of these successes, we’ve reinvested in the business at every opportunity. We’ve purchased new CNC machines, new CMM equipment, increased our workforce, and renovated our production facility.

Following these investments, we felt the time was right to enhance our commercial operations by commissioning a new website.

This new website is larger in scope than our previous website and shows off our key services in more detail. We hope it will be a useful information tool for those who want to learn more about aluminium tooling, plastic injection moulding, and CNC machining.

This website profiles each of these key service areas in detail, as well as our new fast turnaround service, RP Rapid, which supplies tooling and parts in as little as 7 business days.

In addition, there is a section which explores some of our key markets in more detail. There is also an About section which provides information on our company history and achievements, as well as an in-depth Resources section, which contains video material, company news, and technical articles about the tooling and injection moulding processes.

Please take a moment to have a look around this website. If you have any feedback you’d like to share with us, please email info@rptechnologies.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for your continued support.

RP Technologies is pleased to announce the launch of its new website, which showcases our very best toolmaking, injection moulding, CNC machining, and rapid prototyping.

RP has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years. As part of these successes, we’ve reinvested in the business at every opportunity. We’ve purchased new CNC machines, new CMM equipment, increased our workforce, and renovated our production facility.

Following these investments, we felt the time was right to enhance our commercial operations by commissioning a new website.

This new website is larger in scope than our previous website and shows off our key services in more detail. We hope it will be a useful information tool for those who want to learn more about aluminium tooling, plastic injection moulding, and CNC machining.

This website profiles each of these key service areas in detail, as well as our new fast turnaround service, RP Rapid, which supplies tooling and parts in as little as 7 business days.

In addition, there is a section which explores some of our key markets in more detail. There is also an About section which provides information on our company history and achievements, as well as an in-depth Resources section, which contains video material, company news, and technical articles about the tooling and injection moulding processes.

Please take a moment to have a look around this website. If you have any feedback you’d like to share with us, please email info@rptechnologies.co.uk. We’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for your continued support.

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