Cambridge Precision Limited (CPL) is a precision engineering manufacturing company established in 1991. Initially named Cambridge Precision Instruments, the company was founded by Richard Hefford-Hobbs.
History
Cambridge Precision Limited was founded in Cambridge in 1991 by Richard Hefford-Hobbs. In 1995, Nigel Rata joined the company, bringing his commercial expertise from Hybrid Laser Tech, a Cambridge-based laser processing business for micro-electronics ceramic substrates.
Over its first decade, CPL expanded significantly, leading to multiple relocations before settling at Alington Road, St Neots, in 2002 after acquiring Craychase Ltd, a company owned by Richard’s father, Michael Henry Hefford-Hobbs. At this time, the company rebranded to Cambridge Precision Ltd (CPL).
CPL employee with finished product
In 2016, CPL (Craychase) celebrated its 40th anniversary and longstanding partnership with Mills CNC.[1] Today, CPL operates a production hub of 60,000 sq ft across six sites in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, with an administrative office at St John's Innovation Centre in Cambridge. The manufacturing sites feature advanced Haas 5 Axis machines and Doosan Cobot manufacturing cell loading systems.[2]
Innovations and contributions
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, CPL was tasked by the British Government to produce critical ventilator parts. This effort evolved into the OVSI[3] project in collaboration with Cambridge University and The Centre For Global Equality,[4] which aimed to provide life-saving ventilator parts for developing nations. Further collaboration with The Maker Space at Bahir Dar University led to the design and manufacture of low-cost, oxygen-on-demand systems for low to middle-income African countries.
Awards and recognition
CPL expanded to an even larger site in St Neots to employ twice as many staff and expand manufacturing capacity and were featured in a business case study[5] on the project.
CPL New Site Expansion 2023
In May 2024 CPL was awarded with a King's Award[6] for Enterprise & International Trade.
Partnerships and sponsorships
CPL sponsors the Lucy Enterprise Challenge[7] (LucEnt) in partnership with Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. This program encourages innovation within the sustainability sector and supports students in developing enterprising solutions to problems relevant to the UN sustainable development goals.
Additionally, CPL has sponsored the Heritage Crafts Association's Red List and developed the President’s Award for the then Prince of Wales , which recognises key contributions to endangered heritage crafts. The 2023 edition of the Red List[8] assessed 259 crafts to identify those at greatest risk of disappearing, with CPL's support aiming to preserve these crafts for future generations.
