specialising in sheet metal fabrication & fabricated steel products

Our story

Over 50 Years of Excellence in Metal Fabrication

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Sub-contract metalwork engineers

As sub-contract metalwork engineers, we have a vast suite of metal fabrication machinery at our Plymouth factory – so we can truly offer a one-stop shop for metal assemblies.

We have invested strongly in the latest CNC manufacturing machinery, as well as our highly skilled team. This enables us to consistently deliver on the three things our customers value – quality, price and lead time.

Our in-house technologies include precision turning, pressed components, metal bending and folding, laser cut parts, welding and powder coating.

Our highly-skilled design team also uses industry recognised software, and can assist clients with design when necessary, turning even rough ideas into 3D visuals and manufacturing drawings.

Driving Innovation Across Industries

Our clients

We provide bespoke metal fabrication services to many of the leading manufacturing companies in Plymouth, across Devon and Cornwall, and beyond.

We are well served to operate and service all industries where high-quality engineered components are critical, including transport & automotive, retail, specialist furniture, and data enclosures.

We can cater for small or large volumes, and can work with clients to develop and prototype a product, then scale up efficiently for mass production.

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Happen

We have a “can do” attitude, seizing opportunities and saying yes to a challenge. We work hard and find a way.

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Together

Teamwork is vital. We are welcoming and approachable at all levels and departments and we operate with honesty and integrity.

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Brilliantly

We are professional, dependable and disciplined. We always seek out ways to improve our skills and manufacturing processes.

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Difference

We make opportunities for everyone to grow- both our team and our community. We have fun and keep a healthy work-life balance.

Driving Innovation Across Industries

Our history

Following a successful apprenticeship at Tecalemit Plymouth, Bill Alderman decided to go it alone in the world of press tool making and founded Alderman Tooling Ltd with little more than a dream and a damp unit on Sutton Harbour.

Designing and making press tools for the thriving Plymouth Manufacturing economy, he grew organically reinvesting year on year to expand the capabilities both in skilled toolmakers and equipment.

The portfolio of services expanded when investment in a couple of power presses allowed us to produce the pressed parts from the tools he had previously manufactured.

Three factory moves and two extensions later, along with the acquisition of a sheet metal fabrication business in the 1980’s had broadened our services to a wide range of industries including the world of retail, furniture and bespoke sheet metal enclosures.

The company remains in family ownership and management and is now run by Bill’s youngest daughter, Karen Friendship, a qualified Civil Engineer. Karen heads up a dedicated team of 50 at our Plymouth factory.

1963
Marriage of Bill and Lyn Alderman
1970
Move to No 1a College Avenue, Mutley. First year of trading completed.
1976
First purpose-built factory at Lister Close,. Plympton.
1985
First metal fabrication and retail contracts won- Arcadia Group.
1993
Consolidation into 24,000 sq ft premises at Bell Close, Plympton.
1997/98
Terry Kingdom retires, Karen Friendship joins the business.
2002
First awarded ISO 9001 certification, renewed every three years since.
2005
New green branding introduced.
2007
Large contract won with Rittal CSM.
2014
Autobiography published to celebrate 45 years.
2015
Investment in powder coating facility.
2017
Achieved triple certification to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and OHSAS 13003:2007
2017
Winner, Employer of the Year, Lloyds Bank National Business Award UK.
2018
Investment in CNC turret punch.
2020
We increased CNC capacity with a new sheet loader for our Amada EMZ.
2022
Karen appointed as PMG Chair
2023
Remembering Bill
1969
Bill starts Alderman Tooling as a sole trader, supported by Lyn
1972
Move to Market Avenue, Plympton. Terry Kingdom becomes business partner.
1985
Expansion into an additional unit in Lister Close, Plympton.
1988
Alderman Tooling becomes a limited company.
1994
Alderman Tooling celebrates 25 years in business.
2000
3,500 sq ft extension for additional manufacturing and storage space.
2004
New Amada power press purchased.
2006
Karen appointed as Managing Director.
2010
Amada C1 punch-laser investment.
2014/15
Investment in two automatic bar-fed CNC lathes.
2016
Double award winners for apprenticeships and training.
2017
Investment in Amada fibre laser cutting machine with tower.
2018
Winner, Manufacturer of the Year Herald Business Awards
2019
Aldermans celebrates the first 50 years in business.
2021
We upgraded our CNC milling capabilities.
2022
We won Manufacturing Business of the Year at the PlymouthLive Awards and SME of the Year (South) at the MAKE UK Awards.