Reevaluating Total Cost of Ownership in machining:A strategic approach with Quickgrind

In the machining and engineering industries, cost-cutting is an ongoing priority. However, too often, companies focus on reducing the price of individual components—particularly tooling—without fully considering their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). TCO is a financial analysis that goes beyond the purchase price of a product, incorporating all associated costs over its lifecycle, including operation, maintenance, and replacement. 

A common misconception in the sector is that minimising tooling costs will have a significant impact on overall expenditure. However, tooling typically accounts for just 3% of a machining company’s total budget, while the submerged costs of labour, machinery, and fixed overheads make up 80% or more. Yet, many businesses fall into the trap of economising only on tooling, believing this will improve their bottom line, instead of focusing on the much larger costs associated with inefficiency, downtime, and poor process optimisation. Quickgrind refers to this as the 20/80 Challenge, urging manufacturers to rethink their approach. 

A holistic approach to tooling and machining expenditure 

Quickgrind, a leader in high-performance tooling solutions, advocates for a Total Solutions Engineering strategy—one that looks beyond individual cost savings on tools and instead focuses on improving the entire machining process. By taking a joined-up approach to client relationships, Quickgrind helps businesses reduce their total costs while optimising efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. 

“Let us come into your business, audit your applications, tooling usage, and consumption, and we will make recommendations on everything from tool design and CAM programming to tool inventory,” says Ross Howell, Managing Director of Quickgrind. “Our approach is not just about selling tools—it’s about improving your overall machining strategy to ensure long-term profitability.” 

Through its application audits, Quickgrind works closely with businesses to analyze how tools are used, the efficiency of programming, and areas where waste can be reduced. This results in a tailored solution that enhances machining performance, reduces cycle times, and extends the lifespan of tools—all factors that contribute to substantial cost reductions beyond just tooling expenditure. 

The QuickEdge advantage: Maximising the tooling lifecycle

One of the cornerstones of Quickgrind’s approach is the QuickEdge remanufacturing process, a technology-driven solution that enables solid carbide tools to be reused up to nine times. Rather than discarding tools after initial use, QuickEdge allows businesses to remanufacture their tooling to ‘as new’ condition, extending service life and drastically cutting down the need for new tool purchases. 

This approach not only reduces direct tooling costs but also minimises machine downtime associated with frequent tool changes. Additionally, remanufacturing ensures consistent tool performance throughout its extended lifecycle, meaning machining accuracy and surface finishes remain at optimal levels. 

“By focusing on the entire machining process, we can identify areas where efficiency can be improved, leading to significant cost savings beyond just the tooling expenses,” says Tim Darch, Quickgrind’s Commercial Director. “QuickEdge is a game-changer because it transforms tooling from a consumable into a long-term asset.”

Reducing administrative burdens with QuickVend 

Beyond tooling and machining optimisation, Quickgrind also addresses another hidden cost in manufacturing: inventory management. Many companies suffer from inefficient tool stock management, leading to unnecessary purchase orders, excessive stock levels, and wasted administrative hours. 

Quickgrind’s QuickVend system is a tooling inventory service that automates stock control, ensuring that tools are available precisely when needed. This eliminates over-ordering and reduces the time spent on manual stock monitoring, freeing up employees to focus on value-added tasks. 

A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) perspective 

In addition to the financial savings associated with QuickEdge and QuickVend, these initiatives also support companies in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. Solid carbide is derived from tungsten, a limited and non-renewable resource that requires intensive mining and refining processes. 

By remanufacturing tools rather than constantly purchasing new ones, businesses can significantly reduce their reliance on virgin carbide, leading to lower environmental impact. Furthermore, minimising the production of new tooling cuts down on the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and transportation. 

“Sustainability is a growing concern for our customers,” says Brian Pearce, Sales Director at Quickgrind. “With QuickEdge, not only do we help businesses reduce costs, but we also support their efforts to reduce waste and improve their carbon footprint.” 

For manufacturers looking to enhance their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials, adopting sustainable tooling strategies like QuickEdge and QuickVend provides a clear and measurable way to reduce waste and emissions. 

Unlocking the full potential of TCO optimisation 

Addressing Total Cost of Ownership requires a shift in mindset. Rather than focusing solely on the cost of individual tools, manufacturers must evaluate their entire machining ecosystem—from programming and tool design to inventory and process efficiency. 

Quickgrind’s Total Solutions Engineering approach enables companies to unlock savings across multiple areas: 

– Extended tool life through QuickEdge remanufacturing 

– Reduced waste and environmental impact via responsible tooling usage 

– Lower administrative costs with QuickVend inventory management 

– Optimised machining performance through in-depth application audits 

– Improved cycle times and machine utilisation by selecting the right tool for the job 

This data-driven, holistic strategy ensures that businesses don’t fall into the 20/80 Challenge trap—where the smallest budget area (tooling) receives the most scrutiny while more significant cost drivers remain unchecked. 

Final thoughts: The bigger picture 

While tooling may seem like a minor expense on paper, its impact on overall production efficiency is substantial. A cheap tool that wears out quickly, causes excessive downtime, or leads to poor-quality finishes can ultimately cost far more than a high-performance, long-life alternative. 

By adopting Quickgrind’s Total Solutions Engineering strategy, machining businesses can move beyond short-term cost-cutting and achieve long-term operational efficiency. The ability to remanufacture tooling, automate inventory, and optimise processes provides manufacturers with a sustainable and intelligent way to maximise profitability and reduce waste. 

“True cost savings come from looking at the bigger picture,” says Ross Howell. “We don’t just sell tools—we engineer solutions that drive real, measurable results for our clients.” 

For companies seeking better cost control, greater efficiency, and improved sustainability, embracing a Total Cost of Ownership strategy with Quickgrind is not just an option—it’s a necessity for staying competitive in modern machining.

To chat to us about our engineering solutions get in touch today!