Engineering success amidst global challenges: insights from Expromet CEO Rob Guest
As global economic uncertainty challenges the manufacturing supply chain, Expromet Technologies Group continues to buck the trend, achieving impressive growth under the leadership of CEO Rob Guest. In this interview, Rob shares how the group has strengthened its resilience, expanded globally and embraced long-term growth strategies to meet evolving customer needs.
Q1: First, can you tell us what attracted you to join Expromet?
Rob Guest: I have always been fascinated by materials and manufacturing and this guided my career path from an early age. My degree and Master’s degree focussed on materials science and materials modelling, and my PhD is in metallurgy. This technical knowledge of processes such as the casting of nickel-base superalloys is invaluable in understanding developments that can help Expromet’s customers.
I also gained considerable experience during roles in aviation and aerospace component manufacturing at Firth Rixson (now Howmet Aerospace) then at Liberty Speciality Steels, before seizing the opportunity to lead Expromet. I am excited by Expromet’s potential for growth, and its ability to provide a dependable, high-quality manufacturing partnership for global customers.
Q2: In your first year at the helm, Expromet has shown impressive growth despite a challenging global market. To what do you attribute this success?
Rob Guest: Expromet is more than just a manufacturer. Our in-house technical expertise combined with our extensive UK manufacturing capabilities and global supply chain mean we can offer a one-stop, long-term partnership to our customers. This strategic approach, alongside heavy investment in our people and facilities, has helped Expromet continue to grow despite the global challenges faced by the manufacturing industry. In the last financial year we achieved 10% growth and now have a healthy pipeline for the future: we are on track to achieve our £100 million turnover target by 2030.
Q3: You mention the challenges for global manufacturing supply chains. How has Expromet adapted to ensure it is a resilient manufacturing partner?
Rob Guest: The geopolitical climate has created significant uncertainties: Tier 1 manufacturers and OEMs are now more focused on de-risking their supply chains by partnering with companies that offer broad capabilities and diverse global sourcing options.
Expromet’s capabilities include a wide range of metal manufacturing options, including a variety of precision casting and machining processes, as well as end-to-end management and technical support. On top of extensive in-house capabilities, we have a trusted global supply chain which now includes our new facility in the Philippines – supporting our resilience and de-risking the supply chain for our customers.
Q4: Expromet’s customer base spans a wide range of sectors. Does this diversity benefit customers?
Rob Guest: Yes, the diversity of our customer base gives us resilience, which means customers can trust us to deliver despite market fluctuations. Expromet serves customers across sectors from aerospace and defence to energy and industrial automation. Since we are not heavily reliant on any single sector, we able to adapt quickly to market changes and continue to deliver for our customers.
Q5: How will Expromet’s investment in Southeast Asia benefit customers?
Rob Guest: Our new facility in the Philippines is a key component of our strategy to de-risk supply chains for our customers. By expanding our global footprint, we are able to offer more sourcing options and tap into lower tariffs and production costs. This ensures that our customers can maintain flexibility while enjoying cost savings and more efficient supply chain management.
Q6: What about your investment in Expromet’s business development team, will customers benefit?
Rob Guest: Our investment in business development is about ensuring that we are proactive in understanding and meeting our customers’ needs. By restructuring the team and bringing in new talent, we’ve been able to enhance key account management, ensuring personalised support for our customers. We’re also better equipped to manage new product development, with a stronger core technical team driving innovation. This investment has already contributed to a strong pipeline of new business, particularly for 2025.
Q7: Looking ahead, what are your goals for Expromet?
Rob Guest: My goals are to deliver ever more value to our customers, and to deliver long-term growth for the business. By continuing to invest in our people, processes, and global presence, we are positioning ourselves as a resilient business partner with broad capabilities. As demand for high-quality manufacturing partnerships grows, we’re focused on extending our influence as a trusted supplier to performance-critical sectors. We have the expertise to remove pain-points for customers by providing end-to-end technical support and management, de-risking and simplifying their supply chain. It’s a win-win for customers and for Expromet.
Q8: Is your focus on supporting existing customers or developing new business?
Rob Guest: Both! As Expromet Technologies Group grows, and with our investment in additional technical support and development, we are able to help existing customers find cost-downs through DfM, by optimising manufacturing methods for existing or new products, or by offering extra services through different companies within the group.
New customers are attracted by the broad capabilities of our advanced precision casting and machining businesses, able to deliver world-class engineering solutions through trusted and versatile supply chains. Our resilience and expertise are winning new business across demanding sectors, and we have built a strong reputation for high-quality, precision components and technical support. I am proud to say that we are both growing our market share with existing customers and winning new business, which is a sign that Expromet is doing well.
Q9: Operational excellence is clearly key to continuing success at Expromet. What steps are being taken to ensure that each group company maintains high standards in quality, safety and environmental performance?
Rob Guest: We maintain rigorous operational and manufacturing excellence across all our companies. The first 10 years of my career was spent in technical and quality roles, so I know how critical this is to long term success. Haworth Castings, Investacast, and Metaltech Precision are regularly reviewed to ensure that our design and manufacturing processes meet the highest standards of quality, safety and environmental performance. We hold ISO accreditations and are continually extending our range of approved standards to reflect our capabilities and commitment to excellence. We’ve also implemented comprehensive health checks across each business to ensure that everything from shift patterns to apprenticeships and personal development are fit for purpose.
Q10: Finally, how would you summarise your first year as CEO of Expromet?
Rob Guest: It has been a great year for Expromet in spite of the local and global challenges for the sector, for our group companies, and for our hardworking teams. I would like to thank everyone for making me so welcome here, for working together to build the teams and deliver the investments that will drive success in the coming years.
What matters most to our customers is that the components we supply are delivered on time, with perfect quality, and a reasonable price; and that we can provide the expertise and partnership to support our customers long-term. Our existing customers are delighted with our enhanced support, and we have a significant pipeline of developing business. I am confident that Expromet Technologies Group will continue to deliver world-class engineering solutions whatever the global challenges of the next decade.
