Taylor Engineering & Plastics Announces Major Investment in New SMC Compression Moulding Process

Taylor Engineering & Plastics (TEP) has announced a multi-million-pound investment in a new compression moulding process at its Rochdale manufacturing facility. The investment includes the purchase of two purpose-built 1,200-tonne Cannon moulding presses, the largest Cannon presses ever installed at a UK facility.

The final agreements have been approved and signed between Rochdale-based TEP and Italian technology provider, Cannon S.p.A., as of Q3 2025, for the acquisition and installation of two new compression moulding presses. The two sizeable 1,200-tonne presses are due for delivery by the end of 2026, with Taylor Engineering & Plastics aiming to begin production in January 2027.

A significant investment, representing the largest ever installation into a UK facility by Cannon S.p.A., the project follows a recent purchase of a huge 2200T moulding machine for the family-run manufacturing company, commissioned in September 2025.

This new project further proves the success and growth of the company in recent years, bucking trends in the plastics manufacturing industry with client-base growth, increased headcount, and significant, multi-million-pound investments in manufacturing machinery across a range of processes.

Expanding capabilities with Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC)

The new moulding presses will introduce SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) to Taylor Engineering’s already extensive range of plastic manufacturing processes, which includes thermoplastic injection moulding, structural foam moulding, and DCPD moulding. The addition of SMC will allow TEP to produce large, durable, and complex components in medium-to-high production volumes, complementing its existing low to medium volume capabilities, increasing options and improving economics for its customers.

With the SMC process typically suited for production runs of 1,000 units and above, the new process fills an important gap in TEP’s volume capability, offering flexibility for its customer base, as well as opening the door to new market sectors.

The new investment, combined with the company’s four automated painting lines and significant finishing and assembly services, ensures that Taylors can offer the complete solution for its customers, from the start to the end of a project.

Significantly, due to its existing four-site setup, the company can offer both cosmetic and non-cosmetic SMC products from a single source, something few European manufacturers can match.

A project years in the making

The decision to introduce SMC compression moulding follows 18 months of detailed planning, preparation, and technical collaboration between Taylor Engineering’s management and technical teams, headed by Scott Taylor, Ian Taylor and Steve Shaw.

The large-scale installation will also require significant redevelopment at TEP’s Rochdale site, including the relocation of existing production areas and major structural modifications to accommodate the new presses, each with a significant footprint.

A long-standing partnership with Cannon

TEP’s relationship with Cannon S.p.A dates back nearly five decades, with the companies first working together in 1977. This latest project strengthens that partnership, with Cannon once again providing custom-engineered machinery designed to meet TEP’s exact production requirements.

True to its philosophy of working with the highest-quality equipment manufacturers, TEP has chosen to continue investing in proven European technology rather than lower-cost alternatives, to ensure the highest quality output and reliability for its customers, and Cannon was the clear choice for its proven performance and reliability. The two new presses are currently in development at Cannon’s Italian facility, with installation planned for Q4 2026.

Process choice for every project

The introduction of SMC moulding means TEP can now offer customers an even wider selection of manufacturing options, allowing each potential project to be matched by TEP’s expert technical team to the most appropriate process based on design, performance, and cost considerations. In some instances, the choice of process can be presented to the customer, with advantages, disadvantages and economics laid out, allowing an informed choice depending on their specific requirements.

Customers will be confident that every component is produced using the optimal method for its application, including size, strength, run volume and required finish.

Adding SMC to its significant manufacturing portfolio will enable access to further growth markets, including transport infrastructure, rail and construction, on top of the automotive, agriculture, EV and earth-moving sectors it is already well renowned for.

A catalyst for future growth

Speaking about the investment, Scott Taylor, Managing Director at TEP, commented: “This is a landmark investment for Taylor Engineering & Plastics and a major step forward in expanding our manufacturing capability. The new Cannon presses will allow us to support new market sectors while giving our existing customers even more process choice within a single trusted supplier.

“SMC compression moulding complements our existing range of processes perfectly and reinforces our long-term commitment to investing in high-quality European technology. We see this as a catalyst for future growth, opening up new opportunities and laying the groundwork for further investment in the coming years. This is just the beginning!”

European leaders in specialist moulding

The addition of two new presses and the introduction of the SMC moulding process further strengthens TEP’s position as one of Europe’s most versatile moulding specialists.

By offering customers a comprehensive suite of design, prototyping, moulding, painting, and assembly services from one location, Taylor Engineering & Plastics handles entire customer projects from start to finish, performing each stage to the highest of quality standards.

The new capability is expected to drive further demand for TEP’s in-house painting and finishing operations, which already serve multiple sectors, including automotive, electric vehicles, agriculture and earth moving. Significantly, SMC products tend to be non-cosmetic, structural and functional parts, but with TEP’s existing expertise and on-site painting and finishing facilities, both cosmetic and non-cosmetic projects become viable, from one point of contact.

With installation planned for late 2026, TEP is open to discussions and project enquiries throughout 2026, ahead of full production commencing in January 2027.

To register your interest or to learn more about Taylor’s expanding capabilities, reach out to the team directly today at https://www.tep.co.uk.

Read more news from Taylor Engineering & Plastics here.

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