INEOS Britannia wins Louis Vuitton Cup with Gandtrack Carbide Tooling for Composites

Investing in Sustainable Cutting Tool Manufacturing at Gandtrack

INEOS BRITANNIA TEAM CELEBRATES WIN

In a historic victory, INEOS Britannia has clinched the Louis Vuitton Cup, securing their place in the 37th America’s Cup Match against Emirates Team New Zealand. This marks the first time in 60 years that a British team has made it to the finals, after Ben Ainslie’s crew triumphed over Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli with a 7-4 victory. The advanced manufacturing techniques and materials used in this race, particularly carbon fibre, were key to their success. Gandtrack carbide tooling for carbon fibre played an essential role in manufacturing quality components for the AC75 race yacht.

The Road to Victory

The America’s Cup, the world’s oldest international sporting event, has been a challenging race for Britain to conquer. Since its inception in 1851, no British team has won it, but INEOS Britannia is now one step closer to breaking that streak. Ainslie’s team has set the stage for what could be a historic triumph, and their journey wouldn’t have been possible without the precision manufacturing and materials used in their AC75 boat. From the hull to the sails, Gandtrack’s tooling ensured the precision needed for both strength and aerodynamics.

The Pinnacle of Sailing Technology

The AC75 class represents a monumental leap in sailing technology, akin to comparing Formula 1 cars to standard vehicles. These foiling monohull yachts are designed to lift out of the water, allowing them to sail up to four times faster than the wind. The second generation of AC75s, set to compete in the upcoming America’s Cup, features even wider foils and a host of refinements that promise to enhance performance.

Jim Ratcliffe -

Why the GT-50 Dagger Drill?

The GT-50 Dagger drill, along with the full range of Gandtrack’s carbide tooling for composites, is specifically designed to meet the demands of working with high-performance materials like carbon fibre. Precision engineering lies at the core of our carbide drills, allowing them to handle the intricacies of advanced composites with ease. These tools ensure clean, quality, high tolerance holes that are essential for maintaining the integrity of crucial components like hulls, sails, and foils.

In addition to precision, enhanced performance is a hallmark of the GT-50. Its unique geometry reduces friction and optimizes chip removal, enabling manufacturers to work efficiently without sacrificing quality. This is especially important in fast turnaround environments where speed and accuracy are critical.

Moreover, versatility is a key advantage of Gandtrack’s carbide tooling. Our range of drills provides manufacturers with the right tool for every specific task, ensuring flawless execution whether you’re cutting through carbon fibre for a yacht’s hull or drilling intricate components for its sails and foils. The GT-50 stands out in its ability to consistently deliver reliable results across a variety of complex applications.

Other options for drilling carbon fibre include:

  • The GT-15 will drill and ream in a single operation for high tolerance holes from 2.3mm.
  • The GT-105 will create a burnishing effect with its 4 lands for stability. Available from 2.5mm.
  • The GT-250 reduces delamination in ferrous materials like Kevlar, and has been proven to work extremely well with carbon fibre applications. Available from 2.4mm.
  • The GT-240 will drill quality holes in one shot in automated controlled feed machines due to its trepanning action. Available from 4mm.

The Journey Ahead

As INEOS Britannia gears up for the America’s Cup Final, Gandtrack remains committed to supporting the team with our high-quality tooling solutions. Our partnership reflects our dedication to excellence in manufacturing and engineering.

For Live updates visit INEOS Britannia website

Our solar installation includes 352 solar panels, with a total system capacity of 50 kWp. Based on year to date generation data, the installation is expected to generate approximately 41,000 kWh this year, supplying around 22% of our annual electricity requirements.

Solar panels covering the roof of Gandtrack’s manufacturing facility

Gandtrack avoided approximately 7.3 tonnes of CO₂e emissions last year. Based on the updated 2026 conversion factor, the same level of annual electricity generation is expected to avoid approximately 5.4 tonnes of CO₂e emissions this year. This is reduced not because of Gandtrack’s commitment, but the UK’s commitment to sustainability is reducing the carbon intensity of grid electricity.

The solar panels are maintained and cleaned regularly to ensure maximum power is generated year round.

Solar panels being cleaned on the roof of Gandtrack’s manufacturing facility
Clean solar panels on the roof of Gandtrack’s manufacturing facility

Ensuring the Best Tool Life from Gandtrack Products

Our cutting tools are designed and manufactured to provide reliable performance and the best possible tool life in their intended applications.

Selecting the correct tool geometry, cutting parameters and operating conditions can significantly reduce premature wear. By working closely with our customers to identify the right tooling for each application, we help them achieve consistent results, reduce tool changes and gain maximum value from every tool, directly reducing the amount of tooling required for each customer.

Regrinding Drills to Reduce Waste and Recycle Quality Material

Gandtrack offers a quick, cheap and easy regrinding service that can restore suitable worn drills and extend their useful working life.

Cutting edges naturally wear over time, but this does not always mean the complete tool needs to be discarded. Depending on its condition and specification, a drill may be reground to restore its cutting geometry and return it to productive use

     

    Worn carbide drill at Gandtrack
    Reground carbide drill at Gandtrack

    Regrinding can:

    • Extend the working life of suitable drills.
    • Reduce premature tool replacement.
    • Lower tooling costs.
    • Reduce material consumption and unnecessary waste.
    • Allow valuable carbide and other high-quality materials to be reused.

    Where a drill is no longer suitable for regrinding, recycling the material helps ensure that valuable resources are recovered rather than treated as general waste. This is good business practice and a more responsible use of quality materials.

     

    Using Resources Responsibly

    We recognise that sustainable cutting tool manufacturing is an ongoing process. Technology will continue to develop; energy markets will change and new opportunities to improve efficiency will emerge.

    Our responsibility is to keep reviewing the way we work and to make sensible improvements wherever they can deliver a genuine benefit. Our solar panels and regrinding service are two important examples of this approach in practice.

    Sustainability is not separate from how we operate. It is part of our commitment to responsible manufacturing and to building a stronger, more efficient business for the future.

    Cutting tool being inspected at Gandtrack’s Oldham facility

    Speak to Gandtrack About Cutting Tool Regrinding

    To learn more about our cutting tool solutions or discuss whether your tools are suitable for regrinding, please contact the Gandtrack team at sales@gandtrack.co.uk