By Sophie Tombs
Every year, International Women in Engineering Day (IWIED) offers an opportunity to highlight the impact of women across the engineering sector. This year, we are joining that conversation by sharing the stories of the women who support Exactaform to be the leading tool manufacturer it is today.
According to EngineeringUK, women represented just 15.7% of the engineering workforce in 2023, which represents a 0.8% drop from the previous year (Engineering UK, 2024). While industry-wide efforts to improve diversity have gained momentum, hands-on manufacturing and technical roles still lack visibility.
At Exactaform, we focus on creating real opportunities for growth. The women in our team are proof that talent can be supported, and skills can be built. Today, we are proud to have exceptional women bringing precision, insight, and hands-on expertise to some of our most technical processes.
For the next generation of women and girls, we hope their stories show that engineering is a creative, fast-paced, and exciting space to build a career.
At Exactaform, we manufacture high-performance PCD and carbide cutting tools used by aerospace, automotive, and composite manufacturers around the world. Precision is imperative, but it is the people behind the tools who make that precision possible.
We believe that engineering should be open to everyone. Not all people in our team have come from traditional engineering backgrounds. Some started in logistics, while others were trained on the job.
That diversity of experience is something we value as a business. We invest in development, encourage progression and support our team as they build, grow, and shape their careers.
Aga
While Aga did not study engineering formally, she has become an expert through hands-on training. Her role requires deep focus and a detailed understanding of tooling; and her ability to set up, assess, and troubleshoot equipment makes her an essential part of our workflow.
Natalia
Natalias began her career at Exactaform as a cleaner. Over time, she moved into logistics and now works in production. She helps build and refine the tools that move from our factory shop floor into to our customers and partners across the world. Her journey is a clear example of how trust and growth within a team can unlock real technical skill.
Sophie, Operations Manager
Sophie leads from the centre of the action. She keeps production moving, connects people across departments, and helps the team stay focused through daily pressures and big-picture goals.
International Women in Engineering Day (IWIED) is a reminder that access to engineering careers should not depend on gender, background, or academic credentials alone. Manufacturing is evolving quickly. Smart automation, sustainable tooling, and digital processes are changing how we work.
The women in our team are part of that change. Businesses have a responsibility to open doors, provide training, and nurture careers because growth happens when skill meets opportunity and when people have the tools they need, progress follows.
Whether you are just starting out or looking for your next move, a career in engineering can lead you places you never expected. We are building a team that reflects the future of our industry - diverse, capable, and ambitious.
Want to learn more about careers in engineering or how we’re supporting inclusive growth in manufacturing?
Contact us or follow us on LinkedIn.
Engineering UK. Spike in women aged 35 to 44 leaving engineering, 2024. Read Report
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