CNC Machine Tools Success Stories

Harrop Engineering Pty Ltd - Building a solid position with strong enthusiasm and superior technology

Harrop Engineering Pty Ltd., located in Victoria, is well known for manufacturing automotive performance parts that bring out superior performance in the fiercely competitive world of motorsports.

Mr Heath Moore General Manager left and Mr Tim Harrop Operations Manager right

Mr Heath Moore General Manager (left) and Mr Tim Harrop Operations Manager (right).

Motorsports is a sophisticated fusion of a driver's superb driving skills and a machine that is the embodiment of outstanding technology.
Harrop Engineering Pty Ltd., located in Victoria, Australia, is well known for manufacturing automotive performance parts that bring out superior performance in the fiercely competitive world of motorsports.
The company’s passion for manufacturing and superior technological capabilities has earned them strong trust not only in motorsports, but also in a wide range of other fields. Mr. Heath Moore, General Manager said, “Mazak machines are indispensable to our renowned manufacturing system that drives our business growth.”

Harrop Engineering Pty Ltd. was founded in 1955 by Mr. Len Harrop and his wife Ms. Elsa Harrop who started out producing weaving machines from a small shed in the Victorian suburb of Brunswick, Australia. As the business grew, the company expanded into other areas, including industrial food-processing equipment and heavy haulage and earthmoving accessories. The company’s current core business, the automotive performance parts business was established by Mr. Ron Harrop, a son of Mr. and Ms. Harrop. He had a strong interest in ‘making things’ since his childhood, so after joining the company, he started to develop performance parts with great enthusiasm. His father supported him with his technical expertise, and together they were able to evolve the new business.

Today Harrop Engineering offers several core product groups including supercharging and induction, braking, driveline and cooling over several different market segments, all products are highly regarded and reliable, with a rich history of decisive roles in the precision and design of performance products for motor racing over the past 50 years.

Many Mazak machines are in operation

Many Mazak machines are in operation at Harrop Engineering

The INTEGREX j 200S multi tasking machine with robot arm to facilitate automation

The Mazak INTEGREX j 200S multi tasking machine with a collaborative robot machine tending solution from Agile Robotic Systems 

Mazak machines contribute to the core business

Harrop Engineering experienced a leap forward by supplying an all-inclusive solution from design to manufacturing including casting and machining. Specialist Engineers across Design, Quality, and Production are employed to solve problems from every angle and thus won the trust of customers. The company is not only renowned for its core business of automotive performance parts, but also in the Aerospace and industrial machinery. “Our ability to swiftly switch between differential products to a crankshaft and then mining and aerospace components is critical to our operations and our diverse needs. Mazak are key contributors to our renowned manufacturing capabilities and growth, providing world class machining equipment to provide the flexibility and agility that Harrop needs to meet customer needs.” Mr. Heath Moore, General Manager, evaluates the contribution of Mazak machines to its business.

Currently the production line is composed of only Mazak machines. “Mazak machines fulfill quality and reliability to meet the diverse needs of our production requirements. MAZATROL programming is intuitive and easy to use and combines well with EIA CAM programming,” Mr. Tim Harrop, OperationsManager explained the reason to select Mazak. “The INTEGREX, multi-tasking machines reduced number of setups and improved accuracy. Example being an aerospace component where setups were reduced from 4 to 2 and cycle time reduced by 25% whilst also increasing accuracy,” he said about the effect of the investment. In 2020, Harrop Engineering introduced the VARIAXIS i-700 with MPP, multi-pallet stocker system to enhance its automation production capability.

Investments in automation is essential for the company's growth

The companys flagship product supercharger parts are machined by Mazak machines

The companys flagship product supercharger parts are machined by Mazak machines

Aiming to grow the brands in overseas markets

Harrop Engineering remains agile to capitalize on new business opportunities not only in Australia but also in overseas markets. In 2019, with the aim to support the brands growth in the USA market, Harrop Engineering USA was established and opened their R&D and warehouse distribution facility in Dayton, Ohio. The company is also actively developing the Middle East market for continued growth. “On going investment in our staff and manufacturing solutions to support global customer needs and further investment in automation will support our further growth,” Mr. Tim Harrop talked about the future outlook of the company. With its strong enthusiasm and superior technological capabilities, Harrop Engineering will keep attracting customers domestically and overseas and achieve further growth.

Harrop Engineering Pty Ltd