OGC March Highlights
March has been a month of real progress at OGC, with our newly launched Wire EDM facility already delivering impressive results. From precision spline orders completed with rapid lead times, to ongoing improvements across our site, we're seeing our investment turn into impact.
We’ve also been out and about visiting customers and industry partners, gathering valuable insights, strengthening relationships, and ensuring our work continues to meet the evolving needs of the industries we serve.
Precision in Practice: Spotlight Spline Orders from Our New Wire EDM Facility:
Motorsport Precision – Go/No Go Spline Plug Gauge Delivered in 4 Weeks:
We’re proud to shine a light on one of the first standout orders to come through our new Wire EDM facility, a Go and No Go spline plug gauge manufactured for a customer in the Motorsport industry.
Thanks to the capabilities of our new Makino machine, housed within our custom-built facility, we successfully delivered this complex gauge within just four weeks inclusive of design and customer approval, a turnaround that demonstrates the real impact of our investment and mindset.
What truly sets this order apart is the exceptional accuracy we achieved. From lead and profile to runout, the tolerance levels reached were beyond anything we’ve previously recorded at OGC. This level of precision is the result of the highly customised technology package we've developed and refined, a testament to the meticulous work of our engineering team.
48-Hour Spline Gauge Delivery for Aerospace:
Another proud moment for the team this month came when we were able to turn around a critical spline plug gauge order in just 48 hours. After an aerospace sub-contractor customer realised that they didn’t add a certain spline gauge to their original order, they reached out with an urgent request to avoid delays to a time-sensitive manufacturing job. Leveraging the speed and flexibility of our new Wire EDM facility, along with seamless coordination across departments, we were able to design, manufacture, and deliver the gauge within a single working day. Our customer was absolutely astounded at this exceptional performance.
It was a fantastic example of our ability to react quickly under pressure, supporting our customers with precision, pace, and complete reliability. This is exactly the kind of agile, customer-focused service we strive for at OGC, backed by the capabilities of our new technology and the dedication of our people.
Since launching our Wire EDM facility, we’ve seen a clear uptake in spline gauge orders. The past month has been one of our busiest yet, with our packing station full of Go and No Go Spline Plug and Ring gauges, ready for delivery to customers across a range of industries across the globe. We also completed in just one week, a large spline ring gauge calibration order for a leading OE customer in Asia. The feedback from our customers have been outstanding, commenting on the exceptional tolerances and industry-leading lead times we're achieving, levels of precision and performance they say are exceeding expectations.
Specialist Spotlight – Ultra-Precision Plate GAP Gauges
Among the many custom orders completed this month, a standout has been the production of specialised plate GAP gauges, manufactured to extremely tight tolerance requirements.
These gauges feature a 4 µm tolerance on the space width within, high accuracy which showcases the advanced high accuracy capability. Producing gauges to such fine tolerances reflects the advanced capabilities now available through our new facility and the technical expertise of our team. Orders like these highlight OGC’s ability to deliver bespoke, ultra-precise solutions that meet the most demanding requirements across high-performance industries.
Continued Facility Upgrades:
This month, we rolled out further flooring upgrades throughout the factory with help from the whole team. The freshly painted floors not only improve the workspace visually but also contribute to a cleaner, more efficient environment. As part of this refresh, we also reorganised key equipment to optimise the layout and streamline workflows in our operations.
In parallel, we’ve enhanced our health and safety systems with updated fire evacuation procedures, new emergency lighting, and a refined approach to safety protocols. A standout feature is our custom-built information and control board, designed and installed by the fantastic team at Sign Envy. It is a great addition that provides clarity to our team and visitors on the importance we place on HSE.
A new addition to our Wire EDM facility:
We’ve welcomed another exciting addition to our new Wire EDM facility this month— the Vixen Aqua Blaster.
This equipment plays a vital supporting role in surface preparations for gauges. What makes this addition particularly valuable is its location as it’s housed within the same temperature-controlled environment as our Wire EDM setup.
By keeping the entire manufacturing process within one controlled space, we eliminate the risk of temperature variation allowing us to work more efficiently, contributing to the exceptionally fast lead times we’re now able to offer. It’s another step in our ongoing mission to deliver precision without compromise.
This surface preparation capability also enables a new service in “Gauge Restoration”, since we often receive gauges that have, lets say: seen a “life of grime” and perhaps not had appropriate care. This capability allows us to give gauges a new lease of life or at least bring them to a position where they can be reliably validated in calibration. This is an additional costed service, which is offered upon incoming gauge visual inspection and can in some cases save customers time and money, in not having to instantly replace expensive gauges.
OGC out and about: A Visit to Aston Martin’s Historic Spares Facility
This month, Russell had the pleasure of visiting the Aston Martin UK Customer Spares facility. A truly remarkable location steeped in history and engineering excellence.
Housing millions of parts spanning from the iconic DB4 (1958–1963) right through to Aston Martin’s latest models, the facility also contains original manufacturing drawings and data dating back to the 1950s. For any engineering enthusiast, it’s a treasure trove of heritage and innovation.
While on site, Russell met with Desmond Lovett, a long-serving team member who’s been with Aston Martin since the 1970s. One of the highlights was seeing a photograph of Desmond in his early years, working on an engine block, a moment that underscored just how deep his knowledge and passion for the brand run.
At OGC, we’re proud to support Aston Martin’s vehicle manufacturing and F1 Team with our precision-engineered gauges, contributing to the performance and reliability behind some of the most celebrated vehicles on and off the track. Visits like this not only celebrate the legacy of British automotive engineering but also strengthen our commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and heritage-driven innovation.
March has been a month of strong progress, precision, and continued investment in our capabilities. From the successful delivery of complex spline orders to ongoing facility upgrades and industry visits, we’re proud of the momentum we’ve built.
As we move into April, we’re excited to keep pushing forward, sharing more updates from our new Wire EDM facility and continuing to deliver the high-quality, fast-turnaround solutions our customers rely on.
Thank you for being part of the journey.