AETC

About AETC

AETC Limited is a leading manufacturer of complex highly technical investment castings, supplying OEM’s in the Aerospace and Industrial Gas Turbine sectors.

AETC, with over 70 years of industry experience, supports customers throughout component manufacturing, from raw materials to engine-ready parts. Since its acquisition by Precision Castparts Corp. in 1996, AETC has invested in cutting-edge manufacturing techniques.

Specializing in Investment Casting of Equiax and Directional Solidification (DS) hot gas-path components using Nickel and Cobalt based Superalloys, AETC also offers in-house machining for Nozzle Guide Vane and Static Heat Shield components.

Their skilled team, including industry experts with over 40 years’ experience, ensures high-quality products and services. A strong mentoring program fosters knowledge transfer, resulting in low staff turnover and customer satisfaction.

History

Providing high quality products since 1907

  • 1907

    Elijah Hepworth

    E. Hepworth Engineering Ltd founded by Elijah Hepworth, then became Hepworth & Grandage Ltd (H&G).

  • 1917

    H&G move to St John Works, Neville Road, Bradford.

  • 1929

    H&G Advertise "Hepolite" Pistons & Rings. The brand becomes world famous and much sought after in aircraft engines and motor racing engines worldwide.

  • 1935

    Arrow Aircraft (Leeds) Ltd moves to the site in Yeadon next to Yeadon Aerodrome (now Leeds Bradford Airport) to make aircraft parts and armaments.

    Arrow Aircraft

  • 1947

    H&G merge with the British Piston Ring Company to form Associated Engineering Limited but retain the Hepworth & Grandage name.

  • 1949

    The Turbine Components Division was founded commencing with small scale production of Gas Turbine Blades at St Johns Works.

  • 1951

    Arrow Aircraft Ltd Yeadon site taken over by H&G. Blade Machining Facility re-located from St John Works to Yeadon.

    Hepolite

  • 1970

    Precision Casting Facility is established and castings manufactured under license for the 'lost wax' casting process from TRW.

  • 1973

    Precision Casting facility delivers first turbine blade castings.

    Associated Engineering purchase Cannon & Stokes Nozzle Guide Vane (NGV) Machining from Rolls Royce.

  • 1980

    A E Turbine Components Ltd opens the new foundry in Garforth, Leeds specifically built for single crystal (SX) aerospace components, including 6 small bore furnaces under license from Rolls Royce.

  • 1986

    Turner & Newall (T&N) buy the AE Group.

  • 1987

    Furnaces and operations from the Garforth Facility are re-located to Yeadon and the Garforth Facility is closed.

    The NGV Machining is moved to a purpose built facility at the current location in Wigston, Leicestershire.

  • 1989

    20 year lease entered into for Unit 1A Yeadon Airport Industrial Estate and all Blade Machining is moved to the site (BMF).

  • 1991

    £10M investment made in large Industrial Gas Turbine casting capability.

  • 1996

    PCC purchases AE for $63.6 million and the company changes it's name to AETC Ltd.

  • 2009

    AETC relinquishes the lease on Unit 1A (BMF) and relocates all remaining blade machining to the Yeadon Casting Facility.

  • 2016

    29th January Berkshire Hathaway purchase PCC for $37.2 Billion.

  • TODAY

    AETC Ltd. continue to manufacture precision hot gas path turbine components from the Precision Casting Facility in Leeds, West Yorkshire and Nozzle Guide Vane Machining Facility in Leicester.