Alpha Manufacturing

What Alpha Manufacturing does

Alpha Manufacturing Hixon Ltd is a privately-held UK subcontract sheet metal fabricator founded in 1989 and headquartered at a purpose-built 65,000 sq ft facility in Hixon, Staffordshire, operating as a member of The HEX Group (formerly Bri-Stor Group, rebranded 2022). The company runs a vertically integrated design-to-delivery service covering in-house CAD design, XP rapid prototyping, Trumpf TruLaser Fibre laser cutting (mild steel to 25mm, stainless to 20mm, aluminium to 12mm), Trumpf TruPunch 5000/6000 CNC punching with "lights out" automation, TruBend Cell 7000 robotic folding, Salvagnini P4 Lean Panel Bender, Mazak VTC-300 CII 3-axis CNC machining, robotic and manual welding, in-house Oxsilan pre-treatment and Atlas Coatings powder coating, plus a dedicated assembly / electrical integration service marketed as Alpha Integrated Solutions. The technology backbone is the STOPA automated storage and material-handling system, which Alpha is extending in phases toward full-factory automation under a public Industry 4.0 roadmap.

Revenue is generated via quote-based custom project pricing for one-off and volume production runs, supplemented by long-term managed manufacturing partnerships where Alpha co-develops and grows with customers (e.g., Tufftruk's 5x revenue growth over five years; cited individual orders of £450,000 and £1m). Customers upload technical drawings through the website enquiry channel or engage Alpha's NPI and design-for-manufacture team directly, with pricing per enquiry rather than publicly listed. The customer base is vertically segmented across Agricultural, Automotive (including Iveco fleet safety products), Construction, Electrical / Electronics, Healthcare, Horticultural, Off-Road, Security, Street Furniture, Petro-Chemical and Electric Vehicle Charge Point Manufacturing, supported by SMMT, Achilles and UVDB supplier pre-qualifications and recent awards including Engineering Manufacturer of the Year at the 2026 Made in the Midlands Awards.

Name

Alpha Manufacturing

Legal name

Alpha Manufacturing Hixon Ltd

Website

https://alphamanufacturing.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Alpha Manufacturing is a UK-based subcontract sheet metal fabricator founded in 1989, providing integrated CAD design, prototyping, CNC machining, robotic welding, automated powder coating and assembly services to OEMs across 11+ industrial sectors including automotive, agricultural, construction, electrical, healthcare and EV charging.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stafford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Subcontract Sheet Metal Fabrication Projects: Core revenue stream. Project-based, one-off contracts for custom sheet metal components and assemblies across sectors including automotive, construction, agricultural, electrical, healthcare and petro-chemical. Customers upload technical drawings and receive quotes for short or long runs of metal products (e.g., £450,000 individual customer orders cited). Pricing is quote-based; volume work and prototypes both offered.
2. Long-Term Managed Manufacturing Partnerships: Recurring/ongoing supply contracts with growing customers (e.g., Tufftruk: "we've grown our business with Alpha five-fold in the last five years"). Provides recurring volume as customers expand product lines and international reach.
3. Assembly and Integrated Solutions Contracts: Higher-value contracts where Alpha not only fabricates parts but assembles complete products (e.g., glazed balcony assemblies, retail sanitisation units, blood bike modular trays). Includes sub-assembly, electrical integration and PAT testing services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Alpha Manufacturing is a UK subcontract sheet metal fabricator delivering custom metal components and assemblies from design and rapid prototyping through laser cutting, CNC punching, CNC folding, CNC machining, welding, in-house automated powder coating and final assembly. Operated as a single vertically integrated service from a ~65,000 sq ft purpose-built factory in Hixon, Staffordshire, the company serves B2B customers across agricultural, automotive, construction, electrical, healthcare, horticultural, off-road, security, street furniture, petro-chemical and EV charge point sectors. Long-running managed manufacturing partnerships and quote-based project pricing for both short prototype runs and high-volume production underpin the offer.

Product overview

Alpha Manufacturing is a single, vertically integrated UK subcontract sheet metal fabrication business — not a multi-product software platform. Its offer is delivered through one core service (custom sheet metal fabrication) supported by a defined set of in-house processes: Design, XP Prototyping, Laser Cutting, Laser/Punch Combination, CNC Punching, CNC Folding, CNC Turning, CNC Machining, Welding, Stainless Steel Fabrication, Oxide Edge Removal, Powder Coating, Assembly (Alpha Integrated Solutions), Quality and Delivery. These processes are powered by a coordinated Industry 4.0 / "smart factory" infrastructure built around the STOPA automated storage system, Trumpf (TruLaser Fibre, TruPunch 5000/6000, TruBend Cell 7000), Mazak VTC-300 CII machining centre, Amada press brakes and the Salvagnini P4 Lean Panel Bender. The same core service is applied across sector-specific offerings for Agricultural, Automotive, Construction, Electrical, Healthcare, Horticultural, Off Road, Security, Street Furniture, Petro-Chemical and Electric Vehicle Charge Point Manufacturing customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alpha Integrated Solutions: Expert sheet metal assembly and integrated solutions service line operated by Alpha Manufacturing, including complex sub-assemblies and electrical integration work.

Products and services

• Sheet Metal Fabrication Services End-to-end subcontract custom sheet metal fabrication offering covering design, prototyping, profiling, folding, punching, laser cutting, welding, machining, powder coating and assembly — a multi-award-winning service operating since 1989 for B2B customers.
• Design Service CAD-based product and NPI design service with value engineering, prototype sign-off and full integration into Alpha's downstream fabrication processes.
• XP Rapid Prototyping Rapid prototyping service enabling short-turnaround metal prototypes using Alpha's full range of fabrication techniques and technologies.
• Laser Cutting Service Precision laser cutting using CO2 and fibre laser machines, capable of cutting mild steel up to 25mm, stainless steel up to 20mm and aluminium up to 12mm.
• CNC Punching Service CNC punch press services using Trumpf TruPunch 5000 and 6000 machines with automated 'lights out' material handling and tool changing.
• CNC Folding Service CNC press brake and automated panel bending using Amada press brakes, the TruBend Cell 7000 robotic folder and the Salvagnini P4 Lean Panel Bender.
• CNC Turning Service CNC lathe turning for cylindrical parts with high accuracy and precision, including straight turning, taper turning, profiling and external grooving.
• CNC Machining Service 3-axis CNC machining using a Mazak VTC-300 CII machining centre with a 2000mm table cross dimension and 40 taper spindle, for ultra-complex profiles in a variety of materials.
• Welding Service MIG, TIG, spot, projection and robotic welding services for fabrication assemblies, including high-grade stainless steel work and bespoke jigging.
• Stainless Steel Fabrication Service Dedicated stainless steel sheet metal processing and fabrication, supported by a dedicated stainless steel cell and the Salvagnini P4 panel bender.
• Powder Coating Service In-house automated powder coating plant run via sister company Atlas Coatings, using Oxsilan pre-treatment, electrostatic spray and stoving up to 200°C for a durable finish.
• Alpha Integrated Solutions (Assembly & Integration Service) Dedicated in-house assembly and integration service covering sub-assemblies through to complex electrical builds with wiring looms, PAT testing and hardware installation.
• STOPA Automated Storage & Material Handling System Backbone of Alpha's Industry 4.0 smart factory: a STOPA automated storage and distribution tower that stores raw material and feeds processing machines, with monitoring and stock replenishment, planned for full-length factory extension.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5x growth in customer (Tufftruk) business over 5 years through partnership
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• TrumpfflagshipTechnology or IntegrationTrumpf is Alpha's primary technology partner for laser cutting (TruLaser Fibre, CO2 laser), CNC punching (TruPunch 5000/6000) and robotic folding (TruBend Cell 7000). Strategic Partnership news article titled "Smart Manufacturing in Action: Alpha Manufacturing and TRUMPF's Strategic Partnership" and annual Alpha Technology Day co-hosted with Trumpf.
• SalvagniniflagshipTechnology or IntegrationSalvagnini is Alpha's key supplier for the £1 million P4 Lean Panel Bender installed in 2019, replacing the legacy Amada TBZ. Salvagnini provided an intensive multi-month installation and training programme.
• MazakcoreTechnology or IntegrationMazak supplies Alpha's VTC-300 CII 3-axis CNC machining centre used for ultra-complex profile machining; representative presents at Alpha's annual Technology Day.
• STOPAflagshipTechnology or IntegrationSTOPA supplies the automated storage and material-handling backbone of Alpha's "Smart Factory" vision; installed 2016 with phased plan to extend full length of factory. Major STOPA investment covered in company news.
• AmadacoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing supplier of press brakes used by Alpha for folding operations (Amada Press Brake used in commercial vehicle step production). Legacy Amada TBZ decommissioned in favour of Salvagnini P4.
• INEOS Electrochemical SolutionsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic co-development partnership to develop a state-of-the-art production facility at Beacon Park, Stafford.
• The HEX Group (formerly Bri-Stor Group)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlpha Manufacturing is a member of The HEX Group, a privately-owned business. The group was renamed from Bri-Stor Group to The HEX Group in 2022 and includes Bri-Stor Systems, Atlas Coatings and HEX Signs & Graphics as sister companies.
• Made in MidlandscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAlpha Manufacturing is a member of Made in Midlands, the regional manufacturing industry network that runs the Made in the Midlands Awards and Made in the UK Awards.
• UWR Motorsport (Wolverhampton University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBri-Stor Group supports UWR Motorsport (Wolverhampton University School of Engineering) with vehicle components manufactured by Alpha and graphics from Hex Signs & Graphics; UWR has hosted Alpha apprentices on engineering tours.
• JCB AcademycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining partner delivering the theory portion of Alpha's apprenticeship programme before apprentices move into full-time employment at Alpha.
• Stafford CollegeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerApprentices attend Stafford College for further education (e.g., Owen Jones studying Level 3 NVQ in Electrical Engineering over 3 years).
• Derby UniversityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerApprentices study at Derby University for foundation degrees in mechanical and manufacturing engineering (e.g., Sam Weaver pursuing 3-year foundation degree then masters).
• University of Wolverhampton (School of Engineering)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHosts Alpha apprentices on engineering facility tours and supports the apprenticeship programme.
• HEX Signs & GraphicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company within the HEX Group. Provided specialist motorbike livery for the Blood Bikes charity fleet, leveraging HEX's graphics expertise.
• Atlas CoatingsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister-company in-house powder coating plant supplying Alpha's automated Oxsilan pre-treatment and powder coating line; provides tight control on efficiency, delivery and quality.
• Bri-Stor SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister-company LCV conversion business within The HEX Group. Co-located at Hixon site; shares apprenticeship programme, joint open evenings and joint charity events.
• Help for HeroescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAlpha/Bri-Stor Group's chosen charity partner since at least 2017, supporting the "Cut the Clock" campaign and running multiple annual fundraising events (3 Peaks, skydive, Soapbox Derby, Christmas Jumper Day).
• Katharine House HospiceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal hospice partner supported via donations, fundraising challenges (Gemma Smith's UNI/Coast to Coast challenges) and donation of hand sanitiser units.
• Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood BikesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partnership in which Alpha designed specialist modular trays and HEX Graphics provided bike livery for emergency blood delivery motorbike fleet.
• Mind (mental health charity)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partner supported by Bri-Stor Group / Alpha employees through R.E.D. January fundraising run (Andy Oldham).
• Cancer Research UKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partner supported by Alpha employee Pete Ricketts' Ultra White Collar Boxing event, raising over £750.
• British Heart Foundation (BHF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity partner supported through London-to-Brighton bike ride by Alpha/Bri-Stor Group trio (Rob Eley, Neil Andrews, Simon Webb).
• Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry association membership displayed in website footer credentials block.
• Achilles (supplier accreditation)minorOthersSupplier accreditation body whose logo is displayed in Alpha's website credentials block.
• UVDB (Utilities Vendor Data Base)minorOthersUtilities-sector supplier pre-qualification body whose logo is displayed in Alpha's website credentials block.
• Kingsmead High SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal school partner — Alpha hosts students on annual factory tours to promote engineering apprenticeships (3rd consecutive year hosting Kingsmead students).
• Cannock Chase Technology CollegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal education partner — Alpha apprentices attend careers fair to recruit next apprenticeship intake.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WEC Group: One of the UK's largest independent metal fabrication and engineering groups, offering laser cutting, CNC machining, welding, powder coating and assembly across multiple sectors — directly comparable in scope, integrated service model and customer mix to Alpha Manufacturing.
• Brandauer: West Midlands-based precision metal pressings and sub-contract manufacturer serving automotive, electrical and security markets — closely comparable B2B subcontract profile with similar automation investment and quality accreditations.
• MTL Advanced: UK contract manufacturer specialising in laser cutting, fabrication and machining for defence, rail and industrial customers — overlapping integrated service offering and end-market exposure to Alpha's automotive/industrial base.
• Ritherdon & Co: Lancashire-based sheet metal fabricator producing enclosures, cabinets and street furniture — comparable UK subcontract metalwork business with similar multi-sector diversification and value-engineering positioning.
• Hyde Group (Hyde Engineering): UK precision sheet metal and fabrication services company offering laser cutting, CNC folding and assembly — direct competitor in the subcontract sheet metal space serving industrial OEMs.
• P&P Sheet Metal: UK precision sheet metal fabricator providing laser cutting, CNC punching, folding, welding and powder coating — directly comparable full-process subcontract offering to Alpha.
• Hutchinson Engineering: UK metal fabrication and engineering services business serving construction, rail and industrial markets — comparable integrated subcontract model with multi-sector exposure.

Regional players

• Laser Master UK: Subcontract laser cutting and fabrication specialist serving UK industrial customers — overlapping core processes (laser cutting, folding) with Alpha but more narrowly focused on profiling services.

Others

• TRUMPF UK: Alpha's primary technology partner and one of the world's largest machine tool OEMs for sheet metal processing — adjacent rather than competing, but indicative of the scale and standard Alpha's equipment stack is benchmarked against.
• Atlas Coatings: Sister company within the HEX Group operating Alpha's in-house powder coating plant — adjacent ecosystem participant illustrating Alpha's vertically integrated model versus competitors that outsource finishing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alpha Manufacturing