At Exactaform, one phrase echoes louder than any machine on the shop floor: “Never, never, never give up.”
It’s more than a motto. It’s the life philosophy of our founder, John Inglis - a man whose determination turned one small workshop into the UK’s leading PCD tooling manufacturer, trusted by aerospace and automotive giants worldwide.
John’s story begins not with privilege, but with persistence. Growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia, the classroom wasn’t a place of confidence. But where words failed, John’s hands and mind for engineering excelled. He learned to see the world differently but not as a problem, as something to be dismantled, understood, and rebuilt stronger.
This resilience became the foundation of everything he later achieved. What some saw as limitation, John transformed into leadership, empathy, and creativity. His biggest struggle became his greatest strength.
Ask John what he’s most proud of, and he won’t talk about machines or contracts. He’ll talk about people.
“People are the business,” he often says. From the earliest days, John built Exactaform on trust and loyalty - leading by example, showing up when times were hard, and always investing in his team’s future.
That culture still defines Exactaform today. From apprentices to senior engineers, John’s philosophy has shaped a company where people grow, customers feel valued, and every tool carries the stamp of care as much as precision.
Today, Exactaform is led by John’s grandson, Jamie White, who continues the founder’s vision with fresh energy and a sharp focus on innovation. The business is stronger than ever, supplying advanced PCD tooling to aerospace, automotive, and general engineering sectors worldwide.
But John’s presence is still felt every day. He still walks the shop floor at Coventry, offering wisdom, sharing stories, and reminding everyone of the values that got us here. His legacy isn’t just in the tools we’ve built or the customers we serve, it’s in the belief that resilience, vision, and people-first leadership can change what’s possible.
For over four decades, Exactaform has grown from a small Coventry workshop into an international tooling specialist trusted by aerospace, automotive, and engineering leaders. Along the way, we’ve built partnerships, expanded our capabilities, and stayed true to the vision of our founder. Here you’ll find more about our history, our acquisitions, and the people behind the business.
Discover how John Inglis turned a humble workshop into a 100+ strong team, delivering over 7,000 PCD tools monthly from Coventry and now into the U.S. too.
John started his career here, so bringing PJ Tooling back into the fold is more than an acquisition - it’s a legacy.
In this feature from Made in the Midlands, our founder reflects on challenges turned into strengths and how a mindset of ‘never giving up’ drives everything we do.