Automation is no longer a “nice-to-have” in manufacturing, rather it has become an essential differentiator. For AddQual Ltd, the Derby-based specialist in metrology and quality assurance, automation goes beyond simply 'robots and machines'. It’s about rethinking how data, processes, and people interact to create faster, more transparent, and more reliable outcomes for customers in aerospace, power generation and beyond.Founded in 2016, AddQual has built its reputation on tackling one of manufacturing’s most persistent pain points: the bottlenecks created by qualification and inspection processes.
By focusing on structured metrology and data automation, the business helps customers reduces crap costs, accelerate new product launches, and make better decisions in real time.AddQual has invested in a JARViS (Joint Automated Recognition, Vision & Intelligence System) collaborative robot (co-bot), a move that underscores its belief that productivity in metrology should not be left behind in the automation race.“Manufacturers often ask: what should and could be automated in inspection?” says Ben Anderson, Managing Director of AddQual.“The Jarvis co-bot is a great example of where automation drives real productivity. A process that traditionally took hours can now be delivered in a fraction of the time, with more consistency and less operator fatigue. Instead of replacing people, its augmenting their capability so they can focus on higher-value tasks.”
Yet the real frontier for AddQual is digital. Manufacturing is rife with “queues”—waiting for data to be captured, interpreted, shared, and replied to. Traditionally, that could mean a week of back-and-forth between supplier and customer before decisions were finalised. AddQual’s approach is to break down this cycle into bitesize, automated chunks. “AI and logic-based rule decisions are changing how we think about inspection data, ”explains Anderson. “Rather than a manual loop of interpretation, feedback, and more measurement, our systems apply rules consistently and instantly. Both sides see the data transparently, and decisions can be made without downtime. That’s how you eliminate bottlenecks.” The result is a faster, more collaborative process where customers and suppliers work with the same live data set—improving responsiveness, reducing delays, and enhancing quality.
At the centre of this transformation is the AddQual's proprietary software, the MiDAS (Metrology Interface DAShboard) System, already in use at Rolls-Royce, ensures that data flows in real time between manufacturer and customer. It is technology designed and developed to provide full visibility of measurement data, delivery status, and process quality. Used on-site with global OEMs, MiDAS has proven itself as a seamless enabler of traceability and transparency.“ MiDAS is really the embodiment of our philosophy,” says Anderson.“ It’s quicker, it’s faster, and it’s fairer—for both parties. It removes the ambiguity that has plagued inspection for years. When everyone can see the same data in real time, trust grows, decisions are easier, and outcomes are better. That’s what modern supply chains demand.”With digital automation, AddQual is positioning itself at the nexus of manufacturing’s most pressing challenges: sustainability, productivity, and the skills gap. By automating repeatable processes, augmenting decision-making with AI, and structuring data for consistency, the company is not only reducing waste and cost but also ensuring the resilience of critical supply chains.
As Anderson summarises; “Our mission has always been to solve the problems that frustrate manufacturers—bottlenecks, delays, inconsistencies. Automation, both physical and digital, is the way we do it. The future of manufacturing will belong to those who can combine data, technology, and people to deliver quality at speed—and that’s exactly where AddQual is leading.”
