Production Engineering Solutions

By acquisition

The Unimerco Group has acquired tooling company Derek Walmsley - a company specialising in the supply of inserts and related tool solutions to the industrial market in the UK, including the aerospace, offshore and medical industries. Derek Walmsley employs 32 employees and last financial year, the company reached a reported turnover of £8.7 million.

Initially, the company will continue under the same name as an independent sister company in the Unimerco Group and will maintain the same product portfolio and suppliers, however, the product offering will be gradually be expanded with Unimerco's own production and service concept.

Only the company's founder and former majority shareholder, Derek Walmsley leaves the organisation with the rest of the management group, as well as all employees, remaining with the company.

Derek Walmsley supply both standard and customised solutions in the insert area. Also part of the company's programme are shank type tools made of solid carbide or HSS. Today, the company represents several established brands, such as Sandvik, Iscar, Seco, Perfor, Mitsubishi, Greenleaf, Lamina, Kennametal, Stelram and Sau.

Unimerco's concept comprising optimisation guidance, customised production, standard tools and the ReoNew regrinding service will strengthen the total product portfolio, and Derek Walmsley is expected to experience considerable growth both in relation turnover and number of employees.

Through the acquisition, Unimerco strengthens its competences on inserts and related tool solutions for the metal industry - an area that makes up an estimated 60-70% of the tooling market in most countries, and in the future, inserts will become an even more important part of Unimerco's product range.

During the last year, Group staff levels have been increased by around 70 employees, equalling almost 15 per cent. In total, Unimerco has 650 employees after the acquisition of Derek Walmsley. The Group expects a turnover of £82 million this financial year, and £93 million next year. "Our clear goal is to become our customers' first choice as tool supplier because we are able to increase productivity and profitability through optimum tooling solutions, commented Kenneth Iversen, CEO of the Unimerco Group.