STAL is based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire – a town steeped in manufacturing and engineering excellence.

The company was first conceived in 2001 by business partners Stephen Slater and Alan Daffin, and became a limited company in 2003. Our idea was a simple one: to continue the proud heritage of British foundries, at a time when many were closing down and moving overseas. Beginnings may have been modest but our ambitions were anything but.

The company has grown steadily over the years, expanding its capabilities in 2012 to introduce CNC machining.

In 2019, we took the decision to acquire Light Patterns and Tooling Ltd, a fellow Chesterfield company specialising in aluminium tooling and finishing fixtures for rotational moulding and all types of pattern making for the foundry industry.

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“Anything that’s got a shape, we can make. A bold claim, perhaps, but one we make happen through the time-served expertise of our team, our investment in cutting-edge technology, and our razorlike attention to accuracy.”

Stephen Slater, Managing Director, STAL Ltd

Our commitments to you…

We are highly skilled tool, pattern and model makers

Ours is a wealth of experience. Many of our team started as apprentice pattern makers at the age of 16; some are now in their 70s, and with the same love of and commitment to the job they first enjoyed a half-century ago. It’s this time-served expertise that gives us a unique skillset that our customers call upon for their most challenging tool, pattern, and model manufacture and design.

We are honest and reliable

We will move mountains to always deliver your project to our agreed deadline. When you place an order with us, you will get it on time, and to the highest standards. Don’t be disappointed if we politely decline projects where we believe the timescales simply don’t allow for quality craftsmanship. We would rather look forward to working with you on your next project.

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We are friendly and personable

As a small business, we get to know our customers really well. We know what their challenges are, how they like to work, and what they expect from us. Over our twenty years of business, we have built up excellent relationships with our customers, and are always on the end of the phone to offer advice.

We are competitive on price

We don’t profess to be the cheapest pattern makers you’ll find; and nor can we be – there is a significant cost to employing a highly skilled team. We do, however, spend time and effort on being as efficient as possible in other areas. Our premises are modest. Our marketing overheads are low. Our MD will roll up his sleeves on the factory floor at our busiest times. This unassuming approach to our operation means we can maintain fairness in our pricing.

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We have an unshakeable commitment to quality

Quality in our business means using only the most accurate, cutting-edge materials and technology. It also means employing a highly skilled team who have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the pattern trade.