Exactaform Cutting Tools

Exactaform are hiring!

Exactaform Cutting Tools — 19/03/2019

At Exactaform, we are manufacturing products that we are all proud of. We are very down to earth and we get things done. These are the values that drive our business along with our policy for recruitment. The same can be said for the development of our team. New starters are taken through a thorough induction process, which enables the smoothest transition into our team. Progression is encouraged and expected for the people who follow our values. We invest in our people, as they are our biggest asset!

We have current opens..

Key Account Manager

Quality Inspector

CNC operators

OPG Grinder

Check us out here

https://www.exactaform.com/careers/

Hundreds of members will be exhibiting at this year's Made in the Midlands Exhibition, which takes place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on June 20. To join them, register for tickets by clicking on the banner below and don't forget that for more details on the event, visit our new website - www.madeinthemidlandsexpo.co.uk

Cutting Edge, Human Core: Factory Tour at Exactaform

Exactaform Cutting Tools — 12/09/2025

Tucked into Coventry’s Central Boulevard, Exactaform’s purpose-built headquarters makes a statement before you even step inside. The glass-fronted entrance floods the reception with light, more reminiscent of a contemporary design space than a traditional factory. Clean lines and open space set the stage for what lies within: a manufacturer that has married technical precision with a culture designed for growth.

On the day of the Factory Tour, Made in Group members pulled into the forecourt, stepping into a facility designed not just for today’s production but for tomorrow’s expansion.

The morning carried a sense of anticipation. Exactaform, once a small operation, now employs over 100 people and supplies advanced cutting tools to aerospace, motorsport, and automotive sectors worldwide. For members, the event promised more than a tour - it offered a glimpse into how a Midlands SME has scaled into a global player without losing its identity.

Steve Walker of Frederick Cooper (Birmingham) and Thomas Gwynn of Armstrong Group networking with John Inglis, Founder of Exactaform.

Presentation: Culture by Design

Managing Director Jamie White set the tone with a candid presentation. He traced Exactaform’s journey from a small factory to an international business, stressing that growth required more than machines and markets - it demanded systems and culture.

When you’re small, you can make it up as you go along. But growth plateaus unless you move to systems. People run the systems, and the systems run the business.

Jamie explained how the team replaced corridor conversations with structured communication, defined responsibilities, and long-term planning. He dismissed the idea of culture as simply happy faces and reframed it as how things get done.

To make culture tangible, Exactaform turned to CultureNav, an AI-driven platform that collects employee feedback through surveys, one-to-ones, and digital tools. The system analyses recurring themes and produces quarterly reports, giving managers data they cannot ignore. This shift has strengthened recruitment, improved retention, and encouraged employees to share their pride publicly.

Exactaform MD Jamie White on linking culture with results.

On the Factory Floor

The tour brought these ideas to life. Members walked through rows of CNC and EDM machines, where engineers inspected tooling and collaborated with automated systems. The atmosphere was calm and focused. Employees carried on with confidence, unconcerned by visitors observing their work - a subtle signal of the trust and openness running through the business.

The facility itself told a story of investment and ambition. Purpose-built with future growth in mind, it still holds space for expansion. As members moved through the building, the scale of the company’s aspirations became clear.

Martyn Biddle, Engineering Manager at Exactaform remarked with pride:

The pace here never slows. Every visit shows something new - machines, ideas, opportunities.

Factory Tour participants get a close-up view of Exactaform’s technology in action.

Q&A: Lessons from the Founder and Future Vision

The morning closed with a Q&A session. Founder John Inglis spoke with humility about leadership built over four decades.

I’m no different to Fred Smith sweeping the road. It’s about friendship, trust, and giving back what people give to you.

Members pressed further on growth and culture. Jackie Watkins of Hyfore Workholding turned the discussion towards growth, asking about plans for expansion. Jamie White responded with clarity:

Our group turnover currently stands at £13.5m across the globe. In five years, our UK portion will be £20m, the US portion will be £20m, and overall we’ll hit £50m. In ten years, we’ll be the biggest cutting tool manufacturer in terms of UK market share and recognised as a global brand.

His answer combined vision with pragmatism, acknowledging the pressure of scaling while reaffirming the need to preserve Exactaform’s agility and fast customer response.

The discussion also touched on change management, with Jamie recalling lessons from relocating into the current facility. Even well-intentioned communication fell short, he admitted, because employees felt decisions had been made for them rather than with them. The takeaway: communication only works when people feel they have a voice.

Members of Made in Group listen intently during the Q&A session at the Exactaform Factory Tour.

Takeaways for Members

The Exactaform tour offered members more than a look at advanced machinery. It revealed how leadership, systems, and culture intertwine to shape sustainable growth. Jamie demonstrated that scaling requires structure; John reminded everyone that trust remains the foundation. Together, they showed how a manufacturer can expand internationally while staying true to the values that built its strength.

As Jamie concluded:

Processes can be copied, machines can be bought. But the way your people interact - that’s your true competitive advantage.

L–R: Peter Raynor, President Exactaform USA; Jason Pitt, CEO Made in Group; John Inglis, Founder Exactaform; Ilona Pitt, Director Made in Group; Jamie White, MD Exactaform; Martyn Biddle, Engineering Manager Exactaform; Dan White, Exactaform.

Never, Never, Never Give Up: The Relentless Spirit of John Inglis, Founder of Exactaform Cutting Tools

Exactaform Cutting Tools — 24/06/2025

By Ilona Pitt, Made in the Midlands

Speaking to John Inglis at Exactaform’s Coventry headquarters, I wasn’t just interviewing a founder - I was meeting a man who, for perhaps the first time publicly, opened up with remarkable honesty about his personal struggles, including undiagnosed dyslexia. That level of candour reflected decades of resilience, wisdom, and deeply rooted values - and made this conversation all the more profound. Now 80, John is still involved in the business he started over four decades ago.

Today, Exactaform is a thriving global operation employing over 100 people across the UK and U.S., known for its advanced diamond tooling solutions and investment in both people and precision. Its Coventry headquarters stands as a symbol of purpose-built excellence - proof of what can grow from humble beginnings.

John's voice is clear, his memory sharp, and his philosophy on life distilled into five words: "Never, never, never give up."

This interview is more than a reflection - it's a landmark conversation with one of manufacturing’s quiet titans. A man who built something from nothing. Who stayed the course when walking away might have been easier. And whose story now deserves its place in the spotlight.

Ilona Pitt: John, take me back to the beginning. What first drew you to engineering?

John Inglis: I suppose I always had an interest in how things worked. But at school I struggled a lot. Dyslexia wasn’t diagnosed back then. I just knew I couldn’t read or write properly like the others. But I could understand things by doing. I’d take things apart. Fix things. You learn to work around it.

IP: That must have been incredibly hard as a child - to feel different without anyone explaining why.

JI: It was, but I never felt sorry for myself. You just get on with it. And over time, you realise you see things others don’t. That can become your strength. I think it taught me patience, and how to listen, really listen - because I wasn’t always able to follow written instructions.

IP: Before we move on, I want to pause for a moment on the dyslexia. You've opened up about it so honestly - did it affect how you saw yourself as a young man?

JI: Massively. For a long time, I thought I was stupid. The day I left school, the headmaster said, "When you can read and work properly, send us a letter." That line stuck with me and it summed up how misunderstood I felt. I couldn’t explain it to anyone, there wasn’t even a name for it back then. Teachers didn’t understand, and there was no extra help. You were just left behind. But it forced me to develop other strengths. I became very visual, I could picture things in 3D in my head. That helped later when I was designing tooling. And it gave me empathy, too. I look for the potential in people others might overlook, because I know what that feels like.

IP: That’s powerful. So in a way, your biggest struggle became your greatest asset?

JI: Exactly. I wouldn't wish the frustration on anyone, but in hindsight, it shaped everything.

JI: I left school with nothing really. Just the need to work. I got into engineering roles, starting from the bottom. Learned everything on the job. I made mistakes, a lot of them, but I always showed up the next day. That counts for something.

IP: Did you have mentors who believed in you early on?

JI: Not really, no. I had to believe in myself. You earn people’s respect through consistency. Being dependable. Turning up even when it’s difficult. Eventually, people notice that.

IP: And what kept you going during those early years?

JI: You have to keep something in your head - a picture of what you’re aiming for. Even if no one else sees it yet. That vision carried me through.

IP: So what made you take the leap and start Exactaform in 1979?

JI: I was tired of being told what I couldn’t do. I thought, if I’m going to work hard, I might as well do it for myself. I didn’t have a plan to build a big company. I just wanted to make good stuff. And I knew I could.

IP: That’s a big leap of faith.

JI: It was. I had no safety net. No limited company structure back then - just me. But sometimes, the best way to commit is to have no way out.

IP: And you started as a sole trader?

JI: That’s right. Just me, a machine, and a belief. I took jobs that no one else wanted, complicated ones. I had to be flexible. I did everything myself in those early days. I’d machine during the day, deliver parts in the evening, and do paperwork late at night. But it built something solid.

IP: Were there key moments that changed the business?

JI: As the business evolved, we started taking on more technically demanding work, especially when we moved into aerospace and motorsport. That pushed us to raise our game. Suddenly we were doing what no one else was. That opened up a lot of doors. But the mindset stayed the same: precision, consistency, doing things properly.

IP: That must have felt like validation.

JI: It was. But you can’t get complacent. Every new order is a new test.

IP: Any turning points that really tested your approach?

JI: Aerospace definitely pushed us forward. The standards were higher, tolerances tighter. It made us sharper as a company. We had to step up - and we did.

IP: You’ve clearly faced a lot of challenges over the years. What kept you going?

JI: You don’t walk away. You build a team and they believe in you. You have to be worthy of that. Even when it’s tough, especially then, you keep showing up. You don’t let people down.

IP: That loyalty really shines through. You built something not just with machines, but with people.

JI: People are the business. You can have all the equipment in the world, but if you haven’t got people who care, you’ve got nothing. We had people who stuck with us through thick and thin. That’s what I’m most proud of.

IP: What would you say was one of your proudest moments with the business?

JI: Without a doubt, opening the new purpose-built facility in 2017. That was a milestone. It meant we'd not only survived, but grown in the right way. Walking into a space designed for our people, with our values in mind - that was special. It felt like a reward for years of doing things properly.

IP: And how did you approach financing growth through the years?

JI: Carefully. I’ve never liked the idea of borrowing more than we can handle. We reinvested what we earned. Slow, steady, sustainable growth. It might not be flashy, but it’s kept us strong. I’ve always said: don’t build something that can collapse the moment things get tight.

IP: You mentioned earlier that people are what you're most proud of. Can you share an example of someone you mentored or brought through the business?

JI: There was a lad once, who came to us after being let go somewhere else. Young, a bit lost, but smart. I gave him a shot. Trained him myself for months. He’s still with the company today, leading one of our teams. That’s the stuff that stays with you. Watching someone grow into their potential, that’s better than any contract win.

JI: Be honest. Treat people fairly. Never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. Don’t chase shortcuts. It’s easy to cut corners, but you pay for it later. Build things to last - whether it's tools or relationships.

John Inglis outside Exactaform’s purpose-built headquarters in Coventry, opened in 2017.

IP: And now your grandson Jamie leads the company. How does that feel?

JI: I’m proud of what he’s doing. He’s got good judgement. He listens. He brings his own ideas but respects the roots. I’m not here to interfere, but I’ll help if he needs me. It’s a good feeling, knowing it’s in safe hands.

IP: And you're still involved. What do your days look like and was that kind of presence something you always planned to keep going?

JI: I didn’t plan it, really. I just think if you disappear entirely, you lose something - connection to people, and to what the business actually does. I still come in, not every day, but regularly enough to stay in touch. I walk the floor, not to check up on people, but because I like being involved. You pick things up, you listen. You see what people are doing and sometimes they’ll ask what I think. And I still like solving problems. That’s what keeps me interested. I don’t want to be sat at home waiting for the phone to ring.

IP: What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

JI: Be useful. Get stuck in. Don’t expect it to be easy. But if you stick at it, you’ll surprise yourself. Most people give up too soon. Just stay with it.

IP: And when things get tough?

JI: That’s when it counts most. Keep your head down, keep working. Let your actions speak. There’s no secret formula, it’s just showing up, day after day. And whatever happens: never, never, never give up.

John Inglis is being nominated for The Great 100 Awards as a tribute to his enduring contribution to British industry. He represents not only the spirit of Exactaform, but the strength of an entire generation of makers, builders, and leaders. People who didn’t ask for the spotlight but quietly shaped the backbone of Britain’s industrial legacy.

We need more Johns.

And we need to honour the ones we have.

Exactaform joins leading Midlands industry network

Exactaform Cutting Tools — 05/03/2019

Exactaform are delighted to announce that we have joined the leading Midlands manufacturing and engineering membership group Made in the Midlands. We are now part of a collective group of 400+ firms including Jaguar Land Rover, ZF, GKN, Dennis Eagle, Moog Aircraft Group, Autocraft, Yamazaki Mazak, Heraeus, Ricoh, Sertec, Gestamp, Hadley Group, Arlington Industries, Lander, East End Food and more.

We at exactaform pride ourselves as being specialists in diamond tooling manufacture. Our vision is to be the brand of choice for high quality PCD tooling solutions. With our headquarters in the heart of England, we provide quality tooling to both large and small companies. We operate locally and globally, being able to deliver exceptional tooling with our own personal touch is our mission.

Like many other fellow members, we have joined Made in the Midlands to share best practice, win new business, collaborate, raise our profile and source Midlands based suppliers.We join an industry network of ‘movers and makers’ that is proactively bringing together our regions engineering and manufacturing firms from all sectors, that challenges the status quo and is leading the way in creating a lasting legacy and ensuring the long term prosperity of industry in this region.

Exactaform is proud to now be part of the growing #MIMFAMILY, our relish our opportunity to benefit from the buzz surrounding this network whilst also contributing to benefit others within the network.

Exactaform: Leading the Way in British Manufacturing

Exactaform Cutting Tools — 11/03/2025

Founding and Early Development

Established in 1979 by John Inglis, Exactaform started as a small, family-run cutting tool business in Coventry. John operated as a sole trader, taking on projects that demanded high-precision engineering but were often overlooked by larger firms.

"My grandfather built this business from nothing, relying on his technical expertise and problem-solving mindset," says Jamie White, Managing Director and third-generation leader of Exactaform.

By 1981, the company had hired its first employee, marking the start of a team-driven culture that remains at the core of Exactaform’s operations today. Over four decades later, the company has grown to a team of 90 employees in the UK and 9 in the U.S., with a turnover of £11.5 million in 2023 and ambitious plans to reach £50 million by 2030.

Technological Advancements and Industry Partnerships

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Exactaform focused on machining advanced materials, including polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and cubic boron nitride (PCBN)—a field where only a select few UK manufacturers had expertise.

"PCD and PCBN were game changers for us. They allowed us to offer cutting tools that lasted longer and performed better than traditional carbide options," Jamie explains.

In 2003, the company took a major leap forward by diversifying into rotary tooling and acquiring its first PCD EDM machine. This shift elevated Exactaform’s capabilities, allowing the company to break into high-precision industries such as aerospace and motorsport.

"That was a real moment of transformation," Jamie says. "Rotary tools gave us the ability to push into industries that needed extreme precision—like aerospace and F1. It made us a serious contender."

This momentum led to a major partnership with BAE Systems in 2006, allowing Exactaform to play a critical role in the F-35 fighter jet programme.

"At one point, the F-35 programme accounted for 90% of our business," Jamie recalls. "It was an incredible opportunity, but it also highlighted a risk—we had to diversify and ensure we weren’t dependent on one major contract."

To support its rapid expansion, Exactaform moved into a purpose-built facility in Coventry in 2017—the very site that will host the upcoming Made in Group factory tour.

"That move was a milestone for us. It allowed us to bring in cutting-edge technology, streamline production, and invest in a facility that reflects where we’re headed as a company."

Strategic Expansion and Global Reach

With a strong foundation in the UK, Exactaform set its sights on global expansion. Unlike many UK manufacturers who focus on Europe, Jamie saw greater opportunity in the U.S.

"We looked at our capabilities and asked, ‘Where’s the biggest market that speaks English?’ The answer was the U.S.," Jamie says. "But we also knew we couldn’t just copy-paste what we did in the UK—it had to be adapted for the American market."

In 2022, the company opened a manufacturing facility in Tennessee, allowing it to better serve the North American aerospace and automotive sectors.

"The U.S. has a completely different way of doing business compared to the UK. It’s not just about having the best product—it’s about how you build relationships, how you provide support, and how you prove your value," Jamie explains.

Following the success of its U.S. expansion, Exactaform formed an aerospace consortium in 2023 through two acquisitions, reinforcing its position as a global leader in precision tooling.

"We’re not just a UK business anymore—we’re a global business. But at our core, we still operate with the same family values that got us here," Jamie adds.

A People-First Approach to Manufacturing

While technology and expansion have been crucial, Jamie believes Exactaform’s real strength lies in its people.

"Anyone can buy a machine, but what makes a company successful is the people who operate it and the culture that supports them," he says.

Exactaform has built an environment that prioritises employee development, providing training, leadership opportunities, and a modern workspace.

"We’ve invested heavily in our facility—not just in machines, but in the people who make this company what it is," Jamie explains. "We have a world-class canteen, a gym, and a spotless shop floor that makes people proud to work here."

Sustainability: More Than Just a Buzzword

Sustainability is not just an afterthought at Exactaform—it is built into the DNA of its products and processes.

"We've been doing sustainability long before it became a buzzword," Jamie says. "Our tools are designed to last up to 10 times longer than standard carbide alternatives, reducing waste and cutting costs for our customers."

Exactaform’s diamond-tipped tooling can be reground, retipped, and refurbished up to 30 times, significantly reducing the need for raw materials like tungsten carbide.

Additionally, the company has implemented a heat recapture system, which redirects excess heat from compressors back into the facility, reducing overall energy consumption.

"Sustainability isn’t just about installing solar panels—it’s about making smarter products, reducing waste, and designing for longevity," Jamie notes.

Exactaform opens its doors to Made in Group Members for the first time

For the first time, Exactaform is opening its doors to Made in Group members for an exclusive Best Practice Factory Tour on 11th September at its state-of-the-art Coventry facility.

📍 Location: Exactaform, Coventry. RSVP via your Member Dashboard.
📅 Date: Thursday, 11th September
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Attendees will gain a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Exactaform operates, from its ultra-modern shop floor and cutting-edge technology to its reinvestment philosophy and strong company culture.

"Most people in engineering have never actually seen how cutting tools are made," Jamie says. "Everyone’s used them, but few understand the precision, the technology, and the problem-solving involved. This tour will change that."

This exclusive event will showcase how Exactaform balances innovation, sustainability, and employee well-being to drive long-term success.

"We’re at an exciting point in our journey. This tour isn’t just about showing what we do—it’s about sharing what we’ve learned and connecting with others who are passionate about British manufacturing," Jamie adds.

Excitement from Made in Group

Ilona Pitt, Director of Made in Group, shares her enthusiasm for the upcoming event:

"This is more than just a factory tour—it's an opportunity to step inside a world-class facility where cutting-edge technology meets a true people-first culture. Exactaform represents the best of British manufacturing—innovation, reinvestment, and a team-driven approach to success. I know attendees will be inspired by what they see and the conversations they’ll have."

Connecting Industry Leaders at Exactaform's MIM Breakfast Morning

Exactaform Cutting Tools — 26/11/2020

Over 40 industry leaders and members of Made in the Midlands joined Exactaform’s virtual breakfast morning to network and learn more about the company.

Based in Coventry Exactaform are specialists in diamond tool manufacture, supplying tooling ranging from PCD countersinks to drills, milling tools and reamers. With hopes of being the brand choice for high-quality PCD tooling solutions, the company’s Business Development Manager Dean Townsend held a presentation to members on their vast advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The breakfast morning began with a quick introduction from each participating member, giving them the opportunity to introduce themselves and their businesses. This was followed by the presentation from Exactaform.

Established over 40 years ago, Exactaform was created after founder John Inglis noticed a gap in the market for advanced materials for cutting tools. Today, the company invests millions of pounds into the latest technologies and has over 30 machine tools in their purpose-built factory.

“We regard ourselves as a large SME with a small business approach, creating partnerships with our customers to develop bespoke solutions,” Dean explained during the presentation.

Exactaform supply to a range of industries for companies large and small, delivering products to the likes of medical, aerospace, automotive and Formula 1. What makes the diamond tool manufacturer stand out against others is their dedication to bespoke products, over 90% of their tooling is tailor-made for the UK and international customers.

As all manufacturing capabilities are based in the Midlands, they are able to provide reliable solutions and a flexible approach to their UK based customers. This means lead times can be tailored to the customer's requirements, for example, during the start of the 2020 pandemic the company provided parts for ventilators and delivered them to Ireland in just 48 hours.

After the presentation members had the chance to network in smaller groups using the ‘breakout rooms’ feature on zoom, with two rounds of 15-minute networking.

Watch the event back by logging into your microsite and heading to ‘Virtual Events’.

Exactaform invest £1 Million into Technology Centre

Exactaform Cutting Tools — 31/03/2020

Coventry based manufacturer Exactaform has recently invested a large sum of money into a technology centre to be used for research and development. The investment has enabled customers to not compromise on production and has allowed Exactaform to test cutting edge technology.

However Exactaform’s recent investment is nothing out of the ordinary, the company invests around £1 Million to £1.5 million a year which has led to a 20 to 30% growth year on year. The recent investment is in addition to the sum of money that already goes into the business each year for increasing manufacturing and production capacity. Exactaform’s Jamie White said:

“As the business grows, the investment grows with it.”

In their most recent bid to grow the company, the business has invested in a Tech Centre, where they can take customer parts, program them on a machine and test them without affecting the customer's production. This will include a range of new machineries such as a DMG machining centre and Alicnoa inspection equipment. Talking about why the company decided to invest in the Tech centre, Jamie said:

“We already sell ourselves as a solutions provider, we manufacture cutting tools but we do not sell the cutting tools as an individual item. We try to solve a customer's problem with what we are selling. When aerospace customers are extremely busy and up against deadlines, they are not keen on turning off their production to run trials.”

To demonstrate cutting edge technology, the equipment and facility that Exactaform uses are vital. There are numerous reasons why the Tech centre is a great investment, including the production and measuring equipment needed to simulate the customer's environment and discover the technology that is out there. However it is important to recognise that the service is not for profit, Jamie added:

“We are a production environment, all we make is cutting tools and we have invested in a tech centre and its purpose is to provide offline programming for customers.”

The company has already had a smaller version of this facility for a number of years, however, this is a major upgrade to what was already in place. The new facility is set to be ready in a couple of months and will include machineries such as a DMG 3-axis machining centre, optical measuring equipment, Alicnoa inspection equipment and CAD-CAM software. On top of this investment, the company is continuously upgrading machinery and capacity enhancements.

Exactaform pride themselves as being specialists in diamond tooling manufacture. Their vision is to be the brand of choice for high-quality PCD tooling solutions.

With their headquarters in the heart of England, they provide quality tooling to both large and small companies. They operate locally and globally, being able to deliver exceptional tooling with their personal touch is their mission.

Supplying tooling ranging from PCD countersinks to drills, milling tools and reamers, they are driven by three simple values. Get things done, take pride in every detail and most of all Stay down to earth. Their values enable them to be a reliable, capable solutions provider with consistently high quality. But at the same time allows them to be flexible to offer rapid response to the demands of the industry.

If you think Exactaform can help you contact them today at jamie@exactaform.co.uk.