The Heart of Manufacturing Precision
Behind every high-quality moulded or stamped component lies a perfectly crafted tool. The accuracy, durability, and performance of that tool determine production efficiency and final product quality. Many manufacturers outsource toolmaking, which often leads to longer lead times, communication challenges, and higher costs.
At McLar, in-house toolmaking is central to the company’s success. Our modern toolroom, equipped with CNC mills, lathes, EDM, and grinding equipment, allows us to design, build, and maintain tools with unmatched precision. This integrated capability sets McLar apart from suppliers that rely on external contractors.
1. Faster Lead Times
Outsourcing tooling can add weeks to a project due to shipping, scheduling, and communication delays. Having an in-house toolroom eliminates these issues, ensuring immediate design adjustments and faster delivery.
McLar’s engineers collaborate directly with the production team to refine tools in real time. This close coordination reduces downtime, accelerates prototyping, and allows clients to bring products to market sooner.
2. Better Quality Control
Every tool produced at McLar is built and tested under the same roof. This direct oversight ensures alignment between tool design, moulding machinery, and production requirements. Any issue can be identified and corrected instantly, ensuring each tool meets the exact tolerances required for long-term reliability.
Example:
A medical device manufacturer experienced mould wear and dimensional inconsistencies from an offshore supplier. McLar re-engineered the tool using higher-grade steel and precision EDM techniques. The improved mould produced over 500,000 parts without deviation, reducing maintenance downtime by 40%.
3. Cost Efficiency Over the Long Term
While in-house tooling may seem like an added expense at first, it significantly lowers costs in the long term. Our integrated approach avoids shipping, outsourcing fees, and lengthy modification cycles.
Tool maintenance and refurbishment can be performed immediately, extending tool lifespan and preventing production interruptions.
4. Seamless Communication and Flexibility
One of the greatest challenges in outsourced toolmaking is miscommunication. Time zones, language barriers, and third-party involvement often lead to errors or delays. McLar’s local toolmakers and design engineers work side by side, ensuring rapid response and complete transparency throughout the project.
This flexibility also allows us to support clients who require urgent tool repairs or design modifications without halting production.
5. Integration with Injection Moulding and Metal Stamping
Because McLar manages both injection moulding and metal stamping in-house, the toolroom is fully aligned with both disciplines. Our engineers can optimise tools for the specific requirements of Borche injection moulding machines or stamping presses. This alignment ensures that tools not only meet design requirements but also maximise production efficiency.
Our combined expertise as injection mould toolmakers and precision manufacturers offers clients an end-to-end solution under one roof.
6. Supporting Innovation and Sustainability
McLar’s in-house capabilities also support product innovation. Our team can prototype and refine new designs quickly, helping clients test materials, features, or sustainability improvements before mass production.
Sustainability plays a key role here too. By refurbishing and extending the lifespan of existing tooling, we reduce waste and the carbon footprint associated with new tool production.
Case Study: Bringing Production Back Under Control
A UK automotive parts supplier faced repeated tooling delays and dimensional issues from an overseas provider. We were tasked with redesigning and manufacturing new injection moulds domestically. Within eight weeks, production was back online with improved accuracy and a 25% reduction in cycle time.
The client has since moved all future tooling projects to McLar, citing faster turnaround, improved quality, and complete control over production.
Precision Begins in the Toolroom
An in-house toolroom is more than a convenience, it is the foundation of manufacturing quality, reliability, and speed. McLar’s combination of expert craftsmanship, advanced equipment, and decades of experience ensures every tool performs flawlessly from the first shot to the last.
Discover how our in-house toolmaking can enhance your production quality and efficiency and learn more about our toolmaking capabilities by contacting the team today.