GKN plc launches new brand: GKN Additive

Global aerospace and automotive engineering Group GKN has pulled its global Additive Manufacturing (AM) activity together into one new brand: GKN Additive.

GKN has been a global leader in AM for decades, with aerospace components produced, certified and flying on seven major platforms today, and AM parts driving in today’s cars. GKN is also a specialist powder producer through its Powder Metallurgy division.

Operating from global centres of excellence in four countries, GKN Additive will act as the focal point for all this activity in the future, ensuring GKN continues to push the boundaries of the technology and strengthens the Group’s position as a global AM leader. GKN’s dual expertise both in powder production and manufacturing enables transformative and competitive solutions for its customers.

GKN already produces AM parts flying on civil, military, business jets and space aircraft, and AM parts driving in cars / Picture: GKN

Jos Sclater, Head of Strategy at GKN said: “GKN Additive is an incredibly exciting venture and the potential applications for the technology are endless. The benefits of AM are significant, both for our customers and the world around us in terms of greener, more efficient production. There is also a tangible feeling that manufacturing is suddenly a very exciting place to be for the brightest and best engineering talent. That is great for the future of the industry and I am delighted that GKN Additive will be at the forefront of this revolution.”

Producing AM components for industrial use requires four essential elements: understanding of the raw materials (metal powder); process knowledge to decide which AM technology to use (for example selective laser sintering, powder bed or laser metal deposition); manufacturing expertise to produce the component itself; and finally the ability to certify or qualify the parts for use in industry.

Jos Sclater continued: “Thanks to our specialist powder business, Hoeganaes, and based on our 250 years of manufacturing and engineering experience, GKN is outstandingly placed to continue to lead in all four areas. And by bringing our AM expertise together in GKN Additive, we are not only able to continue supporting existing customers in our core aerospace and automotive markets, but also to explore entirely new AM markets too. It is an exciting step for GKN and a statement of our AM intent.”