AKP Limited

27/03/2026

After two audits this week with zero findings I am pleased to announce we have again been recommended for continued certification to ISO14001 and ISO45001
This is testament to the very high standards maintained by the whole team at AKP and supported by the excellent Karen Francis

11/03/2026

CNC manufacturing should reduce risk, not add to it

A good CNC supplier doesn’t just cut metal. They ask questions, challenge drawings, flag risks early and help customers avoid costly mistakes before production starts.

That support rarely appears on a quote, but it makes all the difference! We talk about the added value that experienced CNC partners bring beyond the machine in this recent article.

https://www.akp.ltd/the-truth-about-price-and-cnc-contract-manufacturing/

It’s tempting to view CNC contract manufacturing as a simple comparison exercise: ‘Who’s cheapest?" That mindset is understandable, but can miss what also matters, especially for high-integrity industries such as subsea, aerospace and advanced engineering.

25/02/2026

Why subsea and aerospace won’t accept ‘good enough’.

In advanced engineering, subsea, defence and aerospace, components don’t get second chances.

If a part fails:

- Access may be impossible
- Downtime is measured in millions
- Safety is compromised

That’s why these industries demand reassurance at every stage of manufacture.
Our latest blog explores why high-integrity sectors expect more, and why that matters.

18/02/2026

Tight tolerances don’t happen by accident.

Anyone can machine a part once.

The challenge is machining it right, every time, across batches, materials and programmes.

That level of consistency isn’t down to the machine — it’s down to process control, experience and inspection.

At AKP Ltd, we know what really goes into holding tight tolerances in CNC machining.

11/02/2026

Accreditations: paperwork or proof?

To some, accreditations look like admin overhead. To high-integrity industries, they’re proof that a supplier can be trusted when it matters most. The difference isn’t the certificate, it’s the discipline behind it.

Our recent blog explains why accreditations are critical in CNC contract manufacturing; and why they’re often misunderstood or underestimated as ‘standard’, without fully appreciating their true value and meaning.

https://www.akp.ltd/the-truth-about-price-and-cnc-contract-manufacturing/

It’s tempting to view CNC contract manufacturing as a simple comparison exercise: ‘Who’s cheapest?" That mindset is understandable, but can miss what also matters, especially for high-integrity industries such as subsea, aerospace and advanced engineering.

21/01/2026

The problem with ‘the cheapest quote’

The cheapest quote usually looks fine… right up until delivery, inspection or installation.

Then come the questions:

Why doesn’t this fit?
Why isn’t the paperwork complete?
Why does every batch look slightly different?

Cheap parts are rarely cheap in the long run.We break down the real cost of low-price CNC manufacturing in our full article:

https://www.akp.ltd/the-truth-about-price-and-cnc-contract-manufacturing/

It’s tempting to view CNC contract manufacturing as a simple comparison exercise: ‘Who’s cheapest?" That mindset is understandable, but can miss what also matters, especially for high-integrity industries such as subsea, aerospace and advanced engineering.

14/01/2026

Why is CNC manufacturing always reduced to price?

If CNC machining was only about price, every component would be identical and every supplier interchangeable. But in reality, the difference between a £100 part and a £120 part is often invisible until something goes wrong. So why do so many procurement conversations still start and end with cost?

We explain why price is viewed as such a large part of the manufacturing story; and we discuss hidden risk in our latest blog:

https://www.akp.ltd/the-truth-about-price-and-cnc-contract-manufacturing/

It’s tempting to view CNC contract manufacturing as a simple comparison exercise: ‘Who’s cheapest?" That mindset is understandable, but can miss what also matters, especially for high-integrity industries such as subsea, aerospace and advanced engineering.

23/12/2025

WE ARE RECRUITING !

We have vacancies for experienced CNC machinist- both Turning and Sliding Head.

Interested in an informal chat ?

Message [email protected] or call 01493 600366

10/12/2025

Our inspection lab sits at the heart of our business, as a strategic strength that high-risk and highly-regulated industries rely on. Every project benefits from CMM reporting, pre-shipment validation, traceable documentation and metrology-led process control, giving clients confidence that parts meet specification and perform reliably.

Read more here: https://www.akp.ltd/pauline-courts-high-tech-lab-mastery/

05/11/2025

AKP Ltd is proud to be a Made in Britain member because it demonstrates a commitment to local manufacturing, innovation and integrity. Due to British regulations and legislation, products made in Britain adhere to stringent safety and ethical standards. This governance, alongside a culture of continuous development, means that products made in Britain are known for their high quality.

Why be proud of Made in Britain membership?

👉 Commitment to UK manufacturing: It officially acknowledges AKP's role in British manufacturing, supporting the local economy and engineering sector and further champions British engineering.

👉 Customer confidence: The mark signals to customers that the products are made to British standards and gives assurance to end clients.

👉 Integrity and innovation: The membership is a symbol of commitment to innovation, integrity, and investment in UK manufacturing, aligning with the company's vision to become a first-choice partner for manufacturers worldwide.

👉 Sustainability: It supports the ethos of sustainability by reducing the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation of goods.

👉 Supply chain transparency: Our clients need absolute trust in their supply chain, particularly in highly regulated sectors such as aerospace and subsea.

👉 Additional assurances: A Made in Britain member can provide additional assurances for quality, employment practices, environmental protection and waste management.

Other AKP Ltd accreditations

ISO 9001: A quality management system standard demonstrating AKP's commitment to meeting customer requirements and satisfaction.

AS9100D: This is a rigorous quality management standard for the aerospace industry. Achieving this accreditation shows a commitment to high levels of accuracy, precision and quality in demanding sectors like aerospace, nuclear, pharmaceutical and subsea.

Fit for Nuclear: This accreditation indicates that a company is capable of meeting the stringent requirements of the nuclear supply chain.

Silver-level Norfolk Carbon Charter: This is an acknowledgement of AKP's efforts to become a more sustainable business and reduce its environmental impact.

29/10/2025

Supply Chain Problems?

We’ve heard it many times before, when a client turns to us because they’ve experienced poor quality or poor service with inexperienced machine shops; and it can be costly when a company gets it wrong. Scrupulous management of supply chains in highly-regulated industries such as aerospace, subsea, medical and defence, is critical for safety and reputation.

Our advice is to understand what the clients are saying in feedback, as a first step before onboarding a new supplier, and to understand the benefits of working with an organisation accredited to aerospace standard, AS9100D.

👉 https://www.akp.ltd/why-akp/