A large-capacity two-axis vertical boring and turning machine - with high table speed - has been acquired by an aircraft engine component supplier to further reduce cycle and lead times.

When Paul Pochciol talks about product quality, service and price as the keys to success, he is not dissimilar to many other heads of manufacturing companies. But when he explains that the continued success of the UK's Manthorpe Group is based as much on the organisation's investment in its employees at it is on high-technology machine tools and production equipment, then it is clear that here is a man with a passion for what he does and for the industries and customers he serves. As head of a group of engineering and building products companies that between them supply own-manufactured products, sub-contract machined parts and fabricated structures, Pochciol has for the past 30 years built a highly successful manufacturing group on a basic, but demonstrably potent, principle: always buy the best machines you can afford - and always employ enthusiastic, motivated people.

'The most expensive and fastest machines mean nothing on their own,' he says.

'But if they are operated by people who are truly committed, then the result can be world-beating.

It is not easy finding the right calibre of staff - you need patience and tenacity - and you have to motivate them by showing them that the work they do, the company they work for and the environment they work in is dynamic and world-class.' He says: 'For too many years too many people in the UK have regarded engineering as a low-prestige industry - quite the opposite to its regard in Germany and Japan.

But there is prestige in engineering - high-quality machine tools operated by educated, skilled people do produce high-quality workpieces - and the Manthorpe companies, and our customer base, are testament to that.' His sentiments are clearly visible at each of the three engineering operations headquartered on the 13-acre site in Ripley, Derbyshire, where the watchwords are 'from concept design through manufacture to installation and commissioning': * Purpose Engineering - a specialist in complex and bespoke engineering packages - for example, the manufacture of a laser measuring machine for high-accuracy roundness measurement of spherical components.

* Wagstaff and Appleton - the machine building division for high-speed packing and packaging applications; particularly successful in the tobacco and pharmaceutical sectors.

* Manthorpe Engineering - a specialist in the multi-axis machining of aerospace alloys.

While the impressive bank of injection moulding machines and scheduled investment in robotic systems in the co-located Manthorpe Building Products Division is undoubtedly impressive - and designed to maintain the group mission of cost-competitive manufacture - it is the Manthorpe Engineering facility that reinforces what 'world class' manufacturing is all about.

Described by Pochciol as a: 'Low profile operation in a very high profile industry sector,' and with clients such as BAE Systems, BPB Gypsum and Rolls-Royce, the Manthorpe Engineering shopfloor is adorned with a host of highly expensive, high-technology machine tools that serve this blue chip, predominantly aerospace-focused, customer base.

Work here includes the supply of various casings for the Rolls-Royce RB211 gas turbine (air intake, intermediate and compressor casings) as well as large high-integrity fabrications for Rolls-Royce engine test facilities.

Indeed, the company recently agreed a further five-year contract with Rolls-Royce Power Engineering for the supply of these casings, in addition to 35 other components.

The latest introduction to the portfolio of machines that produce such high-calibre components is a large-capacity Czech Toshulin SKA 12 two-axis vertical boring and turning machine, supplied by Ward CNC.

The Toshulin's specification typifies an 'outside of the box' purchasing strategy based around installing machines with functionality to further reduce cycle and lead times while at the same time maintaining a clean and pleasant working environment.

All new machine purchases must: * Be capable of multi-axis machining.

* Have high-speed spindles.

* Utilise high-pressure coolant.

* Be supplied as totally enclosed working units to, as a result, eliminate airborne mist.

With maximum swing and facing diameters of 1500mm each and able to accommodate workpieces of 1500mm diameter with a maximum height of 1580mm and weighing 8,000kg, the new Toshulin features a 30-station automatic toolchanger, a maximum cutting force of 44,000N and a rapid traverse rate of 12,000mm/min.

Importantly, and aligning with Manthorpe's continuous improvement edict, the machine's 40kW main motor provides offers table speeds of two to 630 rev/min (compared with the usual 250 rev/min) and was supplied as a self-contained machining cell with 20 bar coolant (with return pump on the swarf conveyor) and mist filtration.

Other machine features include Siemens 840D CNC and four-jaw 1250mm chuck, as well as linear measuring on both X and Z axes.

'We have a lot of confidence in the Toshulin,' Pochciol confirms.

'The new machine - which was especially specified for us, particularly in terms of the table speed - brings our Toshulin VTL tally to three.

Also, one of our main customers uses these machines, and from this perspective it is important that we produce work to the same high standards.' He adds: 'Over the years we have purchased a host of machines from Ward CNC.

Of course, Ward CNC specialises in the types of machines we need in terms of capacity and reliable performance, but we also find it important to work with suppliers that adhere to the same ground rules as us.

Ward has consistently supplied quality products at the right price and backed up with superlative customer service.' With additional investments on the horizon - including another six-figure spend on a single machine - the Manthorpe Group continues its quest to drive down costs through 'working smarter' achieved via machines with faster operating speeds and the capability for increased single-set up working, for example.

And still, Pochciol's views about employee satisfaction are not overshadowed by such impressive machine investments.

'My employees spend a lot of time at work, so it is my duty to make the environment here as good as possible.

At home, they do not live in a mess, so why should they work in it?' The Manthorpe Group's 'people first' policy is also evidenced by the Engineering's Division's apprenticeship programme - which also reinforces how the company has successfully established its 'manufacturing integrator' role with clients such as Rolls-Royce: each year, four Manthorpe apprentices start their induction with a 12-month spell at the aerospace giant's training school.

Thereafter, back at Ripley, the apprentices invariably 'shadow' more experienced operators.

'By year three, these guys are terrific assets - they're invaluable,' says Pochciol.

'And they are essential to this company's continued success.'