MicroLoc
MicroLoc is a UK-based precision workholding manufacturer (Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire) producing modular T-slot baseplates, vices, hydraulic and zero-point clamping systems, and robotic loading automation for CNC milling and 5-axis machines, serving precision manufacturers and aerospace/automotive subcontractors through direct sales and a European distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersKimbolton, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MicroLoc does
MicroLoc, legally Micron Workholding Limited, is a UK-based precision workholding manufacturer founded in 1994 (with predecessor Micron Precision Engineering established in 1980 by founder Mike Jenness). The company designs and produces a modular workholding system for CNC milling machines and machining centres, consisting of baseplates with configurable T-slots (50, 60, 75, and 100mm pitches), clamping jaws, vices, and locator hardware that hold square, rectangular, or round workpieces in known datum positions. The platform supports simultaneous multi-part clamping (up to ten small parts per vice set), hydraulic and pneumatic zero-point clamping (<5µm repeatability), and integration with VMC, HMC, and 5-axis machine tools including Mazak, Matsuura, and Doosan horizontals. Custom cubes and tombstones are manufactured in-house in Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire, with typical six-week lead times.
The product portfolio combines owned-manufactured workholding with distributed third-party brands. Owned lines include the 50/60/75/100 series baseplates, hydraulic power system, cubes and tombstones, and the 2025-launched 5-axis vices and manual ZPS plates. Distributed lines include the French-made EASYLOCK zero-point system, Swiss VB Dock Lock hydraulic and pneumatic zero-point systems (Vischer & Bolli), Spanish FORZA high-precision vices, Israeli PML-PAL air chucks, and KOPAL chain-clamping products. Adjacent offerings include the EasyBox T50 Evo pallet-loading robot, the EasyProd MX12 cobot part-loading system, and a bespoke fixture-design service operated through partner Engineering Data targeting aerospace and automotive customers (Airbus, Safran, Ariane Group).
The revenue model is predominantly one-time capital-equipment sales (workholding kits, automation systems, zero-point systems) supplemented by sub-contract machining services. GTM combines direct sales from the UK headquarters with an exclusive international distributor network covering Estonia, Israel, France, and Italy. Pricing is quote-based with limited list pricing transparency (Kit-75 advertised at £2,850 + VAT). Ownership remains concentrated with founder/Managing Director Mike Jenness; no institutional funding, M&A, or leadership changes are disclosed, and the company is treated as privately held with stable operating status.
MicroLoc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MicroLoc
- Legal name
- Micron Workholding Limited
- Website
- https://microloc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MicroLoc is a UK-based precision workholding manufacturer (Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire) producing modular T-slot baseplates, vices, hydraulic and zero-point clamping systems, and robotic loading automation for CNC milling and 5-axis machines, serving precision manufacturers and aerospace/automotive subcontractors through direct sales and a European distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MicroLoc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Workholding Systems
- NAICS
- Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517), Machine Shops (332710)
- SIC
- Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)
Keywords
Where MicroLoc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kimbolton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
MicroLoc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Workholding Systems Sales: Direct sales of MicroLoc workholding systems including 50, 60, 75, and 100 series baseplates, vices, clamping jaws, and accessories. Products are manufactured in-house at their UK facility.
- Hydraulic and Power Systems: Sales of MicroLoc power workholding systems including powerpacks, hydraulic clamps, and associated control equipment.
- Automation Systems: Sales of EasyProd and EasyBox automation systems for pallet loading and robotic part handling, including EasyBox T50 Evo and MX12 systems.
- Zero Point Systems: Sales of EASYLOCK, VB Dock Lock, and vb Dock Lock AirLine zero-point clamping systems, representing both own-branded and distributed products from partner manufacturers.
- Distributed Partner Products: Sales of distributed products including FORZA high precision machine vices, KOPAL workholding products, PML-PAL precision air chucks, and bespoke workholding fixtures through Engineering Data.
- Sub-contract Machining Services: Sub-contract machining services using MicroLoc systems on precision CNC milling machines.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Kit-75 Versatile Workholding System |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels4 records
MicroLoc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MicroLoc designs, manufactures, and sells precision modular workholding systems for CNC milling machines and machining centres, including 50/60/75/100-Series baseplates with T-slots, milling machine vices, clamping jaws, hydraulic and pneumatic power workholding, zero-point clamping systems, custom cubes and tombstones, 5-axis workholding solutions, and automation cells (EasyBox T50 Evo, EasyProd MX12). The company also designs bespoke workholding fixtures and runs sub-contract precision CNC machining services for aerospace and automotive manufacturers.
Product overview
MicroLoc, operated by Micron Workholding Ltd, offers a modular workholding system platform with interchangeable series (50, 60, 75, 100 Series) differentiated by baseplate t-slot pitch dimensions. The core MicroLoc system enables simultaneous clamping of multiple workpieces on milling machines, with manual and hydraulic power variants. The product portfolio extends to 5-axis machine solutions (vices, cubes, tombstines, aluminium pallets), automation systems (EasyBox T50 Evo pallet loader, EasyProd MX12 cobot loader), zero point clamping systems (EASYLOCK, VB Dock Lock, vb AirLine), and distributed third-party brands (KOPAL workholding, PML-PAL precision air chucks, FORZA machine vices). A bespoke workholding fixture design service rounds out the offering, targeting aerospace and automotive precision machining applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MicroLoc 75 Series Versatile workholding system with baseplates featuring T-slots at 75mm pitch, ranging from 300x225x55mm up to 1200x600x55mm; vices and fixed jaws 59.6mm wide; available in T-slots in X, Y, or X and Y configurations. Sold as a manual workholding kit suitable for milling machines.
- MicroLoc 50 Series Workholding system with baseplates featuring T-slots at 50mm pitch, ranging from 300x200x55mm up to 1200x600x55mm; clamping jaws in 34mm, 42mm, and 82mm widths with full range of jaw accessories. Sold to manufacturing customers needing compact modular workholding.
- MicroLoc 60 Series Workholding system with baseplates featuring T-slots at 60mm pitch, ranging from 300x250x55mm up to 1200x600x55mm; 42mm clamping jaw width with four-edge clamping provision. Sold to manufacturing customers requiring mid-pitch modular workholding.
- MicroLoc 100 Series Large-format workholding system with baseplates featuring T-slots at 100mm pitch, ranging from 400x200x55mm up to 1500x650x55mm; clamps and vices 100mm wide. Sold to manufacturing customers needing heavy-duty modular workholding.
- MicroLoc 5 Axis Vices and Manual ZPS Plate Systems Industry-standard 52 and 96mm pitched zero point plates with hardened and ground finish, plus MicroLoc 77/125 self-centering vices with 10 micron repeatability. Sold to manufacturers operating 5-axis CNC machines.
- MicroLoc Cubes and Tombstones Custom-designed cubes and tombstones to suit any MicroLoc-equipped application. Available for 300/400/500 and 630mm horizontal machine pallets, up to 1000mm tall; compatible with Mazak, Matsuura, and Doosan horizontal machines.
- MicroLoc Hydraulic System Power workholding system available in 75 and 100 Series; clamps up to 2 tonnes with adjustable pressure down to 0.1 for plastics and thin-walled materials; air-operated powerpack provides up to 350 bar hydraulic supply.
- MicroLoc on 5 Axis Machines Workholding solutions for 5-axis machines, including aluminium pallets, mini-cubes, circular bases, and bases with large chamfers, configured to suit each customer application.
- EasyBox T50 Evo Pallet Loading System Compact 3-axis robot pallet magazine occupying barely 2m² of floor space; storage capacity of 35 pallets (54 optional); feeds machining centres with 50kg pallets, serving one or two machines at a time.
- EasyProd MX12 Part Loading System Mobile trolley robot with cobot for automated machine tending; automated machine recognition via docking station, 8-20kg carrying capacity, and automated gripper changeover for machining and inspection operations.
- EASYPROD Automation Systems Complete range of EASYBOX palletising robots for automating 3, 4, and 5-axis machining centres; enables lights-out running with user-friendly interface and remote monitoring.
- EASYLOCK Zero Point Clamping System Zero-point clamping system with repeat accuracy less than 5 microns; quick-change of fixtures with modularity and interchangeability. Manufactured in France and represented in UK and Ireland by MicroLoc.
- KOPAL Workholding Workholding products for clamping small, medium, and large parts, including vertical clamping with wheel and endless screw system and chain clamping options; available as dxf/3D models for fixture preparation.
- PML-PAL Precision Air Chucks High-precision air (pneumatic) chucks for CNC machining; manufactured by ISO 9001:2015 certified Henri Azaria PAL Ltd (in business since 1969).
- vb Dock Lock AirLine Zero-Point Clamping System Pneumatic zero-point system running on standard 6 bar workshop air; pull-in force 12,500N, retention force 40,000N; repeat accuracy less than 5 microns; air-blast cleaning as standard; only three moving components.
- VB Dock Lock Zero Point System Hydraulic-actuated zero-point locking cylinder system manufactured in Switzerland by Vischer & Bolli; enables setup changeover parallel to machining, zero-point repeat accuracy less than 5μm; work interruption possible at any time.
- FORZA High Precision Machine Vices High-precision machine vices manufactured in Northern Spain; available in Single Acting, Double-Acting, and Self-Centering variants; hardened steel, nodular casting, parallelism tolerance under 0.02mm.
- Bespoke Workholding Fixture Design Bespoke workholding fixture design and manufacturing service using 3D CAD; designs hydraulic, pneumatic, or specialized zero-point systems; serves aerospace and automotive customers including Airbus, Safran, and Ariane Group.
- Sub-contract CNC Machining Sub-contract precision CNC milling services performed by MicroLoc on its own workholding systems for customers needing outsourced precision machining capacity.
Quantifiable outcome
- Machine downtimes reduced by 90%
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use MicroLoc
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MicroLoc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
MicroLoc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core and supporting.
- Venten OÜregionalExclusive distributor for Estonia (Baltic region). Located at Suur-Sõjamäe 50a, 11415 Tallinn, Estonia EU. Contact: +372 5684 5557.
- Henri Azaria PAL LtdregionalExclusive distributor for UK and Ireland of PML-PAL precision air chucks manufactured by Henri Azaria PAL Ltd, an ISO 9001:2015 certified Israeli company in business since 1969. Same company also distributes MicroLoc products in Israel.
- Sparkle Export Development LtdregionalExclusive distributor for France. Contact: Philippe Bocquet, [email protected], +33 6 12 44 21 77.
- ITT Technical ToolsregionalExclusive distributor for Italy.
- Engineering DatacoreFrench manufacturer of bespoke workholding fixtures (hydraulic, pneumatic, zero point systems). Market leader in France for aerospace and automotive industries. Represented in UK and Ireland by Micron Workholding Ltd. 30+ years specialization in clamping, primarily for automotive and aeronautics sectors. Works with MAZAK machining centres. Key customers include Airbus, Safran, Ariane Group, Figeac Aero, Mecachrome, Nexteam.
- FORZAcoreManufactured in Vitoria, Northern Spain. Complete range of high precision machine vices (single acting, double-acting, self-centering). Exclusive distribution in UK brought to market for first time by MicroLoc.
- Vischer & BollicoreSwiss manufacturer of VB Dock Lock zero point clamping system. Produces hydraulic actuated locking cylinder devices for fast, accurate workholding setup.
- KOPALsupportingEuropean workholding manufacturer whose complete product range is distributed in the UK by MicroLoc. Products include vertical clamping, chain clamping, and monobloc chain systems for small, medium and large parts.
- PAL-airsupportingPML-PAL brand of high precision air (pneumatic) chucks represented in UK & Ireland by Micron Workholding Ltd. ISO 9001:2015 certified company specializing in workholding solutions since 1969.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MicroLoc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Schunk: Large German workholding and gripping technology company with broad portfolio spanning clamping, zero-point, automation, and robotics. Overlaps with MicroLoc in workholding and automation but at much larger scale and broader product breadth.
- Röhm: German manufacturer of chucks, workholding, and clamping technology with broad industrial customer base. Comparable to MicroLoc in lathe/milling workholding but operates as a much larger generalist supplier.
Direct peers
- Gressel: Swiss manufacturer of precision clamping systems, vices, and zero-point workholding. Closely comparable niche competitor to MicroLoc in the premium European precision clamping segment.
- Vischer & Bolli: Swiss manufacturer of the VB Dock Lock zero-point clamping system, currently distributed by MicroLoc. A direct peer (and supplier relationship) competing in the same zero-point workholding category with similar repeat-accuracy specifications.
- Carr Lane Roemheld: US/European manufacturer of workholding components, hydraulic clamping, and fixture elements. Direct comparable to MicroLoc's modular clamping ecosystem and hydraulic power workholding range.
- Allmatic-Jakob Spannsysteme: German maker of modular workholding, hydraulic zero-point clamping, and 5-axis clamping systems. Closely comparable to MicroLoc's modular baseplate and hydraulic workholding offerings.
- Hainbuch: German workholding specialist in stationary clamping, mandrels, and zero-point systems for turning and milling. Comparable to MicroLoc in precision clamping solutions targeted at high-tolerance machining.
- System 3R (Hexagon): Swedish-origin zero-point workholding and pallet automation brand now part of Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence. Directly comparable to MicroLoc on zero-point clamping and automation for CNC machining centers.
- Erowa: Swiss pioneer of zero-point workholding and palletizing systems widely used in EDM and CNC milling. Competes head-to-head with MicroLoc's EASYLOCK and VB Dock Lock offerings in the zero-point and quick-change fixture category.
- Lang Technik: German manufacturer of precision workholding systems, vices, zero-point clamping, and Makro·Grip 5-axis workholding. Direct competitor to MicroLoc in modular workholding and zero-point systems for CNC milling centers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MicroLoc social profiles
Digital presenceMicroLoc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MicroLoc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MicroLoc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MicroLoc M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MicroLoc
What does MicroLoc do?
MicroLoc designs, manufactures, and sells precision modular workholding systems for CNC milling machines and machining centres, including 50/60/75/100-Series baseplates with T-slots, milling machine vices, clamping jaws, hydraulic and pneumatic power workholding, zero-point clamping systems, custom cubes and tombstones, 5-axis workholding solutions, and automation cells (EasyBox T50 Evo, EasyProd MX12). The company also designs bespoke workholding fixtures and runs sub-contract precision CNC machining services for aerospace and automotive manufacturers.
Is MicroLoc a public or private company?
MicroLoc is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MicroLoc founded?
MicroLoc was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MicroLoc based?
MicroLoc is headquartered in Kimbolton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does MicroLoc make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Workholding Systems Sales are the primary driver. The others are hydraulic and Power Systems, automation Systems, zero Point Systems, distributed Partner Products and sub-contract Machining Services.
Who are MicroLoc's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Schunk and Röhm. Direct peers are Gressel, Vischer & Bolli, Carr Lane Roemheld, Allmatic-Jakob Spannsysteme, Hainbuch, System 3R (Hexagon), Erowa and Lang Technik.
Does MicroLoc have an API?
No public API is recorded for MicroLoc.
What industry is MicroLoc in?
MicroLoc's product category is Precision Workholding Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAB, Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures). Its NAICS code is 333517 and its SIC code is 3541.