TEK4 set for expansion following AIM listing

TEK4, based in Blaby, Leicestershire, has commenced trading on AIM, London Stock Exchange’s market for high-growth companies.

Established in 2002, TEK4 designs and manufactures advanced drilling machines used to make components required in the Aerospace, Defence and Industrial Gas Turbine (IGT) markets.

Its machines are designed and built at the company’s facilities in Blaby and are used by customers including Rolls-Royce, GE and Pratt & Whitney, with TEK4 supplying markets including the US, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and across Europe.

The company brings mechanical, electrical, software and application engineering expertise together under one roof, allowing it to develop highly specialised machines for some of the world’s most demanding engineering applications.

TEK4 is one of only a handful of firms with the skillset to build these highly specialised niche machines in which precision, reliability and process capability are critical.

Why the importance of technology for engine cooling systems is increasing

A home-grown British engineering success story, built locally by a team of around 70 people, including 35 engineers, the company brings in around eight graduates each year, helping to train the next generation of engineers.

Jason Duffin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TEK4, said: “We are delighted to be listing on AIM and with the strong level of support from a such large range of high-quality institutional investors. Reaching this milestone is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the continued support and loyalty of our customers.

“As the aerospace and power-generation industries seek to produce engines that operate at higher temperatures, more efficiently and for longer, the importance of the technology sitting behind their cooling systems is constantly increasing. Our technology and IP positions us at the heart of addressing this challenge.

“We remain focused on delivering growth for our clients and partners and the expansion of our local footprint will support additional growth in the community which I am particularly proud of.”

How growing demand for power generation is driving investment in production capacity

TEK4’s strategy is focused on expanding its presence in existing aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets whilst continuing to develop new products and technologies. Growing demand across these key end markets is driving investment in production capacity.

Aircraft order backlogs and defence spending are supporting demand for engines, while rising electricity use, including from data centres, is increasing demand for power generation.

The Group continues to expand its manufacturing capacity and it is currently developing a second production facility, adjacent to its existing Blaby site, which will open in 2027.

The facility is expected to be c.12,000 square feet, which would provide a 75% increase in capacity to support increased production volumes and facilitate the integration of the Group’s recent acquisition, Innolas, a business specialising in laser technology to expand the Group’s in-house laser capabilities.

The additional production capacity will expand the assembly and testing of existing and new product platforms, including automation solutions, STEM systems, laser-enabled systems and developed products. Bringing additional production and laser engineering capability alongside the existing Blaby site will assist operational integration and support the Group’s ability to deliver larger and more complex customer projects.