The plant became part of the Hydro Group in 1993, acquired for the unique manufacturing method – the HAFT process – that the company had developed for the production of solid dies.

Dies made with the HAFT process have been shown to have better dimensional accuracy and repeatability, and closer support and control of the bearing aluminium profile than dies made conventionally.

The Gloucester plant produced solid dies in this way from 1993 to 1999. In 2000 the company further developed the process to include hollow die production.

The company follows a design philosophy which applies the latest bearing profile technology, developed in cooperation between the plant, Hydro’s research and development specialists and Hydro’s extrusion plants.

The mission is to produce a fully machined die with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability, combined with an exceptional level of service.

The company serves customers with a strong on-time-delivery performance by strict adherence to key performance indicators.

Die accuracy is critical. Hydro dies boost extrusion productivity by optimising three vital factors for customers:

• Die life
• The shape of the extruded aluminium profile
• The actual speed of the extrusion