Blending cutting-edge engineering with a commitment to environmental responsibility, Polar Technology pioneers advanced manufacturing solutions
Built on decades of engineering experience, Polar Technology is known for providing market-leading composite and metallic solutions to a range of major manufacturers both across the UK and globally. Having worked with partners in the aerospace, defense, transportation and medical sectors, the company offers a diverse range of applications for a number of high-end markets. Scott Roberts, Co-Founder, discusses the company’s journey so far: “Polar Technology was founded by Mike Dewhirst and me in 2012. Our aim is to deliver innovative, technology-based solutions around advanced composite materials, emerging metal processes, and metallic fabrications.
“Over the last 12 years, Polar Technology has grown into a best-in-class, integrated engineering company, focused on the design, development, validation, and series manufacture of proprietary, high value-added, composite and metallic products and systems. At our heart is the vision to create enabling technologies for a sustainable and healthier future. 
“Our solutions are grouped into four key themes, all designed to address global challenges faced in a wide spectrum of end markets. These include thermal management and heat transfer, lightweight structures, advanced mechanical power transmission , and energy transition, supporting businesses in achieving their clean energy goals.
“Within each theme, our technical and manufacturing expertise, combined with our unique intellectual property, means the solutions that we provide our customers increase performance, save fuel, reduce emissions, and build healthier futures,” he enthuses.
In 2022, Paul Janes was appointed as Managing Director of Polar Technology and has since overseen the day-to-day operations of the business as it continues on the trajectory established by Scott and Mike. Paul outlines the current priorities for Polar Technology, and their ambitions for the future:
“We have recently made strategic capital investments into cutting-edge CNC machinery. In 2024 we installed and implemented two new large CNC machines into production – these are the ‘Zimmermann FZ33’ and the ‘Belotti Sky 2622’. Both are highly capable five-axis composite machine centers with high power spindles. They utilize machine verification and kinematics software to deliver optimized manufacturing sequences, maximizing efficiency and reducing waste.
Flexible approach
“These two recent investments are indicative of our general strategy to automate our manufacturing processes wherever possible, to ensure maximum repeatability, reliability and productivity.”
As experts in metal forming processes, filament winding and molding of composites and composite-to-metallic joining technology, Polar Technology offers a unique set of specialized services: “We utilize a range of different methods of metal forming within our fabrication department, tailoring our approach to suit the specific requirements of the product. Alongside our metallic 3D printing capability and our tube and bend department, we also have capabilities in press forming, hydroforming and laser processing. The benefits of this flexible approach include shorter lead times, accurate repeatability of complex forms, and improved quality control.
“Another area where we can offer added value to our customers is composite to metallic joining technology. Here, we have developed a range of patented mechanical interfaces which removes reliance on adhesives. These processes lead to significant weight savings, which is crucial in high-performance applications, without compromising durability,” Paul affirms.
Robust relationships
Scalability is built into Polar Technology’s processes, ensuring ongoing success, as Paul discusses: “Polar Technology’s approach to product development has three underlying principles: First, the product must include technology as an enabler that allows the component or system to meet the customer’s performance requirements. Second, the products should be scalable and capable of being manufactured in volume. They should also be transferable into a variety of growing and expanding markets. Finally, products are designed using manufacturing processes which can be automated as volumes scale. This approach ensures that the sustained growth that Polar has experienced to date will continue in the years ahead.”
Strong supplier relations are also key to Polar Technology’s approach: “Our partnerships and suppliers are fundamental to our success,” Paul confirms. “We are very collaborative, and we rely on our supply chain to provide crucial components in some of our more complex systems.
“All new suppliers are subjected to a rigorous approval process and our supply chain managers can define, procure, and control the quality and delivery of all parts and materials. We are also committed to sourcing locally where practical, and to using returnable packaging to minimize our carbon footprint and reduce logistical risk.”
Growing market presence
It’s been a big year for Polar Technology. With major projects and internal transformations underway, Paul highlights some of the company’s latest accomplishments, as well as plans for the future: “We have recently installed a brand-new dual mode, nine tow, three-spindle filament winding machine. This is a major part of our recent investment in our winding capabilities, as we continue to support the growing market in rotor sleeves for electric vehicle motors, lightweight transmission shafts and gas storage tanks.
“For the rest of this year, we will be delivering a transformative program, aimed at improving quality and productivity while reducing costs. We are investing heavily in our supply chain development alongside the implementation of more effective planning tools, new product implementation procedures and shop floor data capture.”
Future-thinking has been central to Polar Technology’s success so far. Looking long-term, Paul summarizes the company’s next steps: “Our business strategy for the next five years is centered around increasing our share in all our key end markets, with a particular focus on the aerospace and defense sectors. We also want to continue supporting our customers as the drive to Net Zero by 2030 accelerates, with areas such as electrical propulsion systems and hydrogen storage representing important opportunities for further growth and development.
“This growth will be reflected in a sustained increase in revenue, with current annual figures projected to double by 2030. This is underpinned by a strong forward order book made up of long-term agreements and repeat business, whilst our growing market presence will inevitably lead to the establishment of new, enduring relationships,” he concludes.