It is now announced that their work in sheet metal will be carried out under the new name of Pearlfisher Engineering Ltd, absorbing Temple Shearing & Engineering Ltd, and working from Burgess Hill. In addition to the complementary manufacturing processes, Keith Woods, managing director of Wilkes Iris, has plans for improvements and expansion for the mutual benefit of the businesses and customers, particularly in architectural, gallery illumination and concert and disco lighting.
Wilkes Iris, a forth generation family business, was founded in 1884, and with well over a century of iris technology, is also established as a respected supplier of parts in sheet metal cut to "tool-room" tolerances. Whilst principally supplying the entertainment and television markets, in recent years a high percentage of output has been in precision products for architectural, gallery illumination, theatre and concert lighting, including special effects and such as the iris used in the James Bond films.
Over a number of years, to the expertise in fine blanking of sheet metals demanded in iris manufacturing, standard pressing and milling in sheet metal from 10microns to 6mm, and skills in different metal coatings and finishes has been added. Other manufacturing processes include cutting and forming of tube and precision milling. The new company operating from the Burgess Hill, is expected to be fully operational by October 2005 including recently acquired additional capacity of a Sharp CNC punching m/c.
Sister company Wilkes Iris will also relocate to Burgess Hill and concentrate on iris production, now using this technology to solve problems in many new and diverse applications.
(Lee Baldock)
