27 Jan Xtrac kicks off 2026 with a million-pound investment in capacity and capability
MIA Member Xtrac has shared the following news article.
Xtrac kicks off 2026 with a million-pound investment in capacity and capability
As part of Xtrac’s continuous improvement philosophy, the leader in transmission technology has confirmed a £1m (€1.15m) investment in the latest machining centres at its Thatcham HQ in the UK.
Recently installed, and starting production in January 2026, are three new key pieces of equipment – a Sodick EDM machine, a CMG Mori-Seiki CNC turning centre and a Behringer high performance band saw. Together, this trio of investments will improve further Xtrac’s ability to deliver high-precision gearing solutions to the highest quality.
Wire cutting capability
Xtrac’s already well established EDM (electro-discharge machining) equipment has been augmented with the addition of a new Sodick ALC 600P wire EDM machine. This uses Sodick’s most advanced generator, has full CE certified safety specification and boasts optimal performance, quality and accuracy – essential for cutting internal splines to a level of accuracy and repeatability unheard of a few years ago.
Commenting on the new investment in EDM technology, Xtrac’s CEO Adrian Moore said: “This machine will primarily be utilised to deliver to the very highest quality required for Xtrac’s gears and splined components used in Formula One engines and gearboxes. It will also be used to manufacture gears used in top level professional motorsport series around the world such as the all-electric racing Formula E, as well as for hybrid transmission components used in global Sportscar racing such as the Le Mans 24-hour race.
Sustainable CNC turning capability
Fully commissioned in December 2025, the new DMG Mori-Seiki NLX 2500/700 is a powerful, automated energy-efficient CNC turning centre. With automated bar feed and robotic unload that delivers high productivity, process integration (turning and milling) and advanced features such as Y-axis capability, dual spindles and digital tailstock, this machine is ideal for complex parts used in the automotive and aerospace sectors.
At Xtrac, the machine has been commissioned to turn and mill multiple types of part families of internal gearbox components for motorsport and high-performance automotive applications. It is also able to operate in lights-out mode for larger volumes, adding considerable extra capacity to Xtrac’s existing turning and milling capability. The new DMG Mori-Seiki centre will ensure rapid manufacture of components before they undergo the in-house gear cutting, heat treatment and grinding processes.
Production flexibility at its best
To further increase essential production flexibility, the latest technology Behringer high performance HBE Performance Series band saw has also been installed in the 5000 sq ft (465 m2) metal preparation area of Xtrac’s Thatcham plant. Operating in conjunction with the existing Behringer equipment, this investment will reduce the time spent in metal preparation. Moreover, the flexible configuration will ensure that raw material of different bar sizes can be rapidly swapped over, resulting in reduced time from customer project launch to first machining commencing.
Inspection to the max
In addition to the acquisition of three new pieces of equipment Xtrac remains committed to staying at the cutting edge of gear design and manufacturing through investing in upgrading its existing equipment to take advantage in developments in technology and software.
In December 2025, the Klingelnberg P40 gear inspection machine was upgraded to deploy the Swiss / German specialist’s latest closed loop bevel manufacture process and technology suite. Moore explains: “This enhancement enables the manufacturing and inspection of gears to dimensional accuracies only recently available. It also improves machine functionality and gives us the ability to unlock vital performance improvements within our gear designs.”
Commenting on this wide-ranging set of developments, Adrian Moore concluded: “This million-pound investment in equipment demonstrates our long-term commitment to our customers in the UK and across the globe. This reiterates our long-term vision and the ethos that we will always keep investing to improve our capability, capacity and flexibility. This ensures that our customers – in motorsport, automotive or aerospace – have the very best products on time and to the highest quality.
He added: “It should be stressed that in many cases, this new machinery will be programmed and operated by graduates of Xtrac’s award-winning apprentice academy. We’re hugely optimistic about the future of our business, which operates at the very forefront of technical innovation. While we’re proud of our history and heritage, we are also committed to our investment in the next generation of engineers who will drive us forward.”
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