Phoenix Tooling & Development

What Phoenix Tooling & Development does

Phoenix Tooling & Development Ltd is a privately held UK precision press tooling designer and manufacturer established in 1990, operating from a single headquarters in Aldridge, West Midlands as part of the Cooke Brothers group (with 150 years of group trading history). The company designs and manufactures multi-slide, progression, transfer, and high-speed progression tooling for customers in automotive, medical, white goods, electronics, construction, aerospace, EV, and energy sectors, with named enterprise customers including Gestamp (Nissan and Renault fuel filler tooling projects worth £230k and £220k respectively). Its core technology stack uses VISI CAD/CAM for 3D design and simulation, Swiss GF Wire EDM machines, GF Mikron CNC machining centres with automated palletising for 24/7 lights-out production, Romer 3D laser scanning for inspection and reverse engineering, and a Chin Fong GTX500D 500-ton press line for try-out and commissioning.\n\nThe company operates an integrated NPI (New Product Introduction) process spanning project management, design consultancy, manufacture, assembly, inspection, and try-out/commissioning, with all work done in-house. Pricing is quote-based B2B custom manufacturing with milestone payment terms (30%/30%/30%/10%). The go-to-market is direct enterprise sales targeting OEM and tier-1 suppliers, supplemented by machinery manufacturer partnerships (Bihler for 40+ years, BRUDERER UK, Finzer, Biegema, Itaya) that provide referrals and turnkey line packages. Geographic reach is primarily UK with European export sales. Revenue scale based on 2014 disclosure of £750k turnover and a stated target of £3m by 2025, supported by approximately 20+ employees.\n\nRecent strategic activity has been capital-intensive: a £1.1m investment drive completed in 2022 included a 500-ton press and automated machining centre, with another £1.5m+ invested in equipment over the following 18 months and a further Hurco TM12i Lathe (2024) and CHIN FONG OCP 110-ton press (2025) added. The company relocated to larger premises in April 2022 and exhibits at industry events such as MACH 2024. It holds BS EN ISO 9001 and Investors in People (since 1993) certifications and is a member of the MMMA.

Name

Phoenix Tooling & Development

Legal name

Phoenix Tooling & Development Ltd.

Website

https://www.phoenixtooling.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Phoenix Tooling & Development is a UK precision press tooling designer and manufacturer serving automotive, medical, aerospace, EV, and industrial OEMs. It produces multi-slide, progression, transfer, and high-speed tooling with full in-house NPI capabilities, backed by ISO 9001 certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Aldridge

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, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Precision Tooling Design & Manufacture: Custom design and manufacture of high precision press tools including multi-slide, progression, transfer, and high-speed tooling. Revenue generated from new tooling projects with payment terms of 30% on order, 30% at 50% completion, 30% on first sample, 10% on delivery.
2. Tool Repairs & Modifications: Press tool repairs, modifications, and servicing. Supports existing customer tooling with ongoing maintenance revenue.
3. Tool Try-out & Commissioning: Extensive try-out testing and commissioning services on all new projects. Full simulated mass production stamping capability for tool validation.
4. Tool Design Consultancy: Technical and design consultancy services for feasibility studies, tooling issue resolution, and problem-solving for existing tool designs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Phoenix Tooling & Development is a precision press tooling designer and manufacturer specialising in custom multi-slide, progression, transfer, and high-speed tooling. The company offers fully in-house capabilities spanning 3D CAD design (VISI), CNC machining, EDM wire eroding, surface grinding, tool assembly, try-out, and commissioning for automotive, medical, white goods, electronics, aerospace, construction, and EV/energy customers. It also provides tool repairs, modifications, prototype tooling, jigs and fixtures, turn-key line packages, and reverse engineering services.

Product overview

Phoenix Tooling & Development is a precision press tooling manufacturer offering an integrated suite of services spanning the entire tooling lifecycle. The core offering combines NPI & Project Management, Tool Design & Consultancy (using VISI 3D CAD software), Tool Manufacture (CNC machining, EDM wire eroding, surface grinding), Tool Assembly, Inspection (Romer 3D laser scanning), and Tool Try-out/Commissioning. These are supported by Additional Services (repairs, modifications, prototype manufacture) and a Phoenix Apprenticeships workforce development program. The company specializes in eight areas of expertise: Multi-Slide Tooling (for Bihler, Finzer, Biegema, Itaya machines), Technical Support & Training, Turn-Key Solutions, Progression Tooling, High Speed Progression Tooling, Sub Assembly Tooling, Jigs & Fixtures, and Prototype Tooling. The portfolio is unified through a comprehensive NPI (New Product Introduction) process with in-house capabilities ensuring end-to-end control from concept to production-ready tooling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Inspection Measurement and quality control service using Romer 3D laser scanning arm for inspection to CAD model, first article inspection, batch inspection, profiling, reverse engineering, capability studies, and SPC analysis.
• NPI & Project Management Comprehensive capacity planning and scheduling service mapping each tooling project with detailed time slots for each process, ensuring accurate lead-times and weekly progress reviews.
• Tool Design & Consultancy State-of-the-art 3D CAD service using VISI software to simulate punching and forming processes, including strip layout, GA meetings, multi-slide component forming simulation, and press tool design consultancy.
• Tool Manufacture CNC machining service including 2D and 3D CNC machining, hard 3D CNC machining, EDM wire eroding, surface grinding, and laser cutting/punch press facilities for producing precision press tools.
• Tool Assembly Dedicated assembly service with overhead cranes, multiple assembly areas, and coordinated workforce for efficiently building different sections of tools simultaneously, including laser cut development strips and endurance testing.
• Tool Repairs & Modifications (Additional Services) Press tool repairs, modifications, servicing, and prototype manufacture services supporting over thirty years of precision tooling reputation.
• Tool Try-out / Commissioning

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced development times through Romer Laser Scanning Arm investment - dramatically reducing inspection and reporting time
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• BRUDERER UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong partnership with industry leading machine tool manufacturer BRUDERER UK for design of high-speed tools to make full use of technologies in presses like Ram Guidance Exclusively at Strip Level. Additionally working alongside PT&D in supplying full turnkey line packages including Advanced In-Die Technologies such as High Accuracy Cameras, Part Identification, In-Die Tool/Press Protection, High Speed Tool Gags, and High Speed Dual Lane Servo Feeds.
• Worcester PressescoreTechnology or IntegrationExtended long-standing relationship with Worcester Presses for purchase of new 500-tonne Ching Fong press and full coil line. Russell Hartill and team explored requirements, challenged approach, and identified solutions. Managing Director Russell Hartill stated the purchase opens over £1m of new opportunities for the business.
• BihlercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-leading multi-slide machinery manufacturer whose high standards of quality and precision workmanship are fully recognised and accredited by. Phoenix has been designing and manufacturing Bihler tooling for over 40 years and continues to deliver new Bihler solutions on a regular basis.
• In-Comm Training ServicescoreOthersStrong supporters and beneficiaries of In-Comm for many years. In-Comm has been operational for forty years providing first class training and apprenticeships from their Aldridge base. As an Ofsted Outstanding certified training provider, In-Comm delivers apprenticeships including Toolmaking and Tool Design, Engineering and Technical Development, Product Design, Mechatronics, Engineering at Level 4 and Advanced Engineering pathways Level 3.
• Cooke Brothers LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company within the group. MD Martin Mulvey started his working life with Cooke Brothers. Sales Office Manager Julie Green had successful career at Cooke Brothers for 18 years before joining Phoenix. Companies share group trading history of 150 years.
• Midlands MachineryminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed by Worcester Presses to install the Chin Fong press at Phoenix facility. Required taking roof partially off, removing part of outside verge, and building pit to accommodate the 55-tonne press.
• GestampmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally based tier one automotive components manufacturer. Initially contacted Phoenix for problem solving on existing fuel filler manufacturing for Nissan. Success led to £230k tooling contract award. Phoenix undertook complete ownership of final assembly rather than typical toolmaker approach. Resulted in follow-on £220k order from Renault with prospect of further order from Turkey plant.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Wilson Tool International: Wilson Tool International is a leading manufacturer of tooling for metal stamping, punching, and bending industries. They produce precision punches, dies, and tooling systems directly comparable to Phoenix Tooling's progression and multi-slide tooling offerings, serving similar industrial customer bases across automotive and electronics.
• Mate Precision Tooling: Mate Precision Tooling manufactures precision tooling for sheet metal fabrication including punching, bending, and stamping components. They serve a similar industrial customer base with comparable precision tooling products and overlapping applications in automotive, electronics, and industrial equipment manufacturing.
• Dayton Lamina: Dayton Lamina (formerly Dayton Progress) is a major manufacturer of precision die components, punches, and metal stamping tooling. They produce progressive die tooling directly comparable to Phoenix's progression tooling services, serving similar stamping customers in automotive and industrial sectors.
• Lamina Technologies: Lamina Technologies is a European manufacturer of precision tooling components and wear parts for metal forming. They serve comparable stamping and tooling customers across automotive, electronics, and industrial sectors in the European market, positioning them as a close geographic and product peer to Phoenix Tooling.
• Produmax: Produmax is a UK-based precision engineering company offering CNC machining, tooling, and component manufacturing. They operate in similar precision manufacturing space, serve comparable industrial customers in the UK market, and compete for similar precision manufacturing contracts as Phoenix Tooling.
• PennEngineering: PennEngineering is a global leader in precision engineered fasteners and installation tooling. They produce precision tooling and components for industrial manufacturing with comparable engineering rigor and quality standards, serving automotive, electronics, and industrial manufacturers worldwide.

Broad incumbents

• Schuler Group: Schuler Group (part of ANDRITZ) is a global leader in press technology, automation, and tooling for automotive, packaging, and metal forming industries. They serve the same automotive OEM and tier 1 customers as Phoenix Tooling but at much larger scale, with full press machinery plus tooling offerings rather than specialising in tooling only.
• MISUMI: MISUMI is a global industrial supplier of standard and custom components including press die parts, punching tools, and machine components. They serve a broader industrial customer base across thousands of product categories but compete in similar tooling product categories with a catalogue-and-configurator model.

Others

• Otto Bihler Maschinenfabrik: Bihler is a German manufacturer of multi-slide stamping and forming machinery. Phoenix has designed tooling for Bihler machines for 40+ years as an accredited partner, making them both a strategic partner and adjacent player in the multi-slide tooling ecosystem, with potential for both collaboration and equipment-driven competition.
• BRUDERER AG: BRUDERER AG is a Swiss manufacturer of high-speed stamping presses. Phoenix partners with BRUDERER UK for turn-key tooling line packages, positioning BRUDERER as both a strategic partner (referral source) and adjacent technology provider whose machine sales drive Phoenix's tooling pipeline in the high-speed progression tooling segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZnrEBY3dqJKnrcJJEX9vrw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phoenix-tooling-&-development-ltd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Phoenix Tooling & Development