Unipart expands UK manufacturing capabilities through acquisition of Formaplex Technologies

Formaplex Technologies was established two decades ago as a specialist tooling partner in the F1 automotive sector. Today it has grown to become a key UK supplier of polymer and composite solutions and one of the few premium polymer injection moulding specialists in the UK supply chain, specialising in lightweight components. Customers include McLaren, who are fully supportive of this acquisition and remain committed to working with the business in the future.   

Unipart will integrate the operations into its existing manufacturing capability portfolio, ensuring continuity and maintaining the high operational and safety standards both companies deliver. From today, Formaplex will be rebranded to Unipart Polymer and Composite Solutions.

Darren Leigh, Unipart Chief Executive Officer, said: “Growing our manufacturing capabilities through this acquisition expands our offering and aligns perfectly with Unipart’s growth strategy to offer our existing and new customers a breadth of supply chain solutions and performance improvement technologies. It reinforces our commitment to enhancing and growing the UK supply chain. 

“I am pleased to welcome the Formaplex team to Unipart and excited about the potential this acquisition unlocks for innovation and growth, enabling us to expand our portfolio and strengthen our position in the UK manufacturing sector.”

Jorg Laser, Chief Procurement Officer at McLaren, said: “We strongly value our long-term supply relationship with Formaplex and we welcome the specialist capabilities that Unipart, a long-standing partner of McLaren, now brings to enhancing this relationship. We are excited to see the innovative solutions and continued excellence that this combination will deliver for us.”

Carol Rose Burke, Unipart Manufacturing Group Managing Director, said: “I am delighted we are further investing in our UK manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of Formaplex. It will further support supply chains involved in delivering powertrain products used for internal combustion engines and electrification, as well as enhancing our offer for a growing number of uses in various other sectors such as construction and rail.”