1973 – Family Foundations
Douglas and Richard Curtis, a father-and-son team, founded Douglas Curtis Machine Tools (DCMT). Their mission: rebuild machine tools to a better-than-new standard with an in-house machine shop ensuring quality and delivery control. Even then, they were pioneers in sustainable engineering long before “recycling” became a trend.
1970s–1980s – Craftsmanship & Growth
DCMT recruited expert craftsmen from leading engineering firms, building a reputation for precision, service, and problem-solving. Expansion moved from retrofitting and reconditioning to developing sub-micron precision CNC grinders.
Early 1990s – High-Pressure Testing Pioneers
DCMT moved into high-pressure testing. What was once 500 bar is now far surpassed, with CAT systems routinely achieving 3000 bar with ±1 bar accuracy. The first high-pressure test machine revolutionised leak detection — running almost continuously for 15 years
1994 – A Dedicated Test Division
Growing demand led to a new test division and a move into larger facilities, paving the way for specialist development in testing and assembly systems.
1998 – Curtis Assemble & Test (CAT)
The Assembly & Test Division became Curtis Assemble & Test Ltd, moving into purpose-built premises five times larger, establishing CAT as a centre for multidisciplinary engineering excellence.
2000s–Today – Global Partnerships
CAT has grown into a trusted partner for industries worldwide — from automotive and motorsport (including Formula 1) to aerospace, defence, and precision engineering. Today, CAT combines heritage craftsmanship with cutting-edge automation, cleanliness technologies, and turnkey solutions, continuing to solve the toughest engineering challenges.
