Birchills in machinery deal to boost motorcycle work

Birchills Automotive, one of the UK's leading independent exhaust parts and systems suppliers to the trade, has purchased 104 machinery assets from Walsall company Motad, which went into liquidation earlier this year.

Birchills said the purchase ensures it can expand its offering within the motorcycle exhaust sector. The company, based on the Birchills Trading Estate, has an array of tooling and jigs for the motorcycle sector which helps it produce exhaust systems in a reasonable lead-time.

Managing director of Birchills Automotive, Andrew Wellings, said: “We are delighted with the purchase of the 104 machinery assets from Motad. It is a great opportunity for us, as it will expand our motorcycle capabilities even further and our capacity for production has increased.”

Birchills manufactures all products in-house at its plant in Walsall and prepares the exhausts ready for automotive or motorsport homologation – certification or regulatory approval. The company also manufactures exhausts using reactive silencing techniques which reduces the testing and development costs.

Motad had a huge range of research and development capabilities including 3D CAD, dyno and gas flow equipment. The company produced replacement systems for motorcycles including Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and many other major brands.

Andrew added: “We have acquired the motorcycle dyno equipment from Motad as a part of the assets which was great for us. The dyno will allow us to directly compare the improvements for our customer once we install a new motorcycle exhaust for them.”

Birchills manufactures motorcycle decibel killers which fit into sports motorcycle exhausts and are designed to reduce the sound pressure level dependant on the type of bike and the applications it is used for.

The company has also developed a new range of motorcycle link pipes for leading manufacturers including Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, Triumph and BMW. Birchills can manufacture motorcycle cans to exact specifications either large volume or small runs and one-offs.

The company can also supply the silencers and exhaust systems in many different materials and finishes as well as supplying carbon fibre material to support OEM manufacturers, custom bike builders, motorsport and aftermarket manufacturers.

Andrew concluded: “We have vastly enhanced our service offering to customers following the purchase and it reflects our drive to expand the business as we move forwards in the future.

"We already have an extensive portfolio of customers in the motorcycle sector, but this acquisition will reinforce our commitment to producing the very best motorcycle exhausts available.”