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From Sheffield to the World: Inside the making of the PCL AIRFORCE MK4 Tyre Inflator

The PCL AIRFORCE MK4 tyre inflator is the result of decades of innovation, following the MK2 introduced in 1945 and the MK3 that followed in 1993. Creating a PCL AIRFORCE MK4 tyre inflator involves a detailed, precision-driven process to ensure each inflator meets our high standards. From sourcing components to the final test, every step is carefully executed. Here's a step-by-step look at how the PCL AIRFORCE MK4 is made in our factory in Sheffield:

Step 1: Sourcing and preparing components

The journey begins with acquiring the necessary

Pipemore joins PCL's performance programme - Partner+

Sheffield-based tyre inflation and compressed air equipment manufacturer PCL has welcomed Pipemore Ltd to its pioneering Partner+ initiative, which is aimed at growing the brand’s market share by supporting distributors to flourish.

“The key goals of Partner+ are commitment and service,” said Marketing Campaigns Executive, Alex Bailey “The programme will suit distributors who are PCL ambassadors, eager to grow their PCL product offering and share a mutual goal to grow and prosper. The Partner+ programme enables distributors to develop and sustain long term sales to their own customer base, rather than just transactional

How a PCL DVSA Approved Tread Depth Gauge is made

At PCL, we have been manufacturing our DVSA MOT Test approved tread depth gauge for over 70 years from our factory in Sheffield. Our gauges are widely used around the world, found in glove boxes, garages, and tyre shops, where they serve as a vital tool for ensuring tyre safety. These gauges play a crucial role in measuring tyre tread depth, helping drivers maintain proper tyre conditions and meet legal requirements.

But have you ever wondered how a PCL DVSA approved tread depth gauge is made? Let’s take you through the step-by-step process behind the manufacture of this essential tool.

Step 1: Machine and quality check the components

The first stage in the process takes place in our machine shop, where the individual components of the tread depth gauge are precisely

Search Workshop Supplies joins PCL's performance programme - Partner+

Sheffield-based tyre inflation and compressed air equipment manufacturer PCL has welcomed Search Workship Supplies Ltd to its pioneering Partner+ initiative, which is aimed at growing the brand’s market share by supporting distributors to flourish. 

“The key goals of Partner+ are commitment and service,” said Marketing Campaigns Executive, Alex Bailey “The programme will suit distributors who are PCL ambassadors, eager to grow their PCL product offering and share a mutual goal to grow and prosper. The Partner+ programme enables distributors to develop and sustain long term sales to their own customer base, rather than just transactional sales.”

In return for a Partner+ distributor’s commitment

JLL Leach joins PCL's performance programme - Partner+

Sheffield-based tyre inflation and compressed air equipment manufacturer PCL has welcomed JLL Leach to its pioneering Partner+ initiative, which is aimed at growing the brand’s market share by supporting distributors to flourish. 

“The key goals of Partner+ are commitment and service,” said Marketing Campaigns Executive, Alex Bailey “The programme will suit distributors who are PCL ambassadors, eager to grow their PCL product offering and share a mutual goal to grow and prosper. The Partner+ programme enables distributors to develop and sustain long term sales to their own customer base, rather than just transactional sales.”

How a PCL Coupling is made: A journey from precision machining to quality assurance

At PCL, we take pride in every coupling we produce, ensuring it meets the highest standards of quality and performance. From the initial machining of components to the final testing before shipment, every step is carefully crafted in our factory in Sheffield, UK. In this post, we’ll take you through the process of how a PCL coupling is made - from the machine shop to your hands.

Step 1: Machining the components

The journey begins in our state-of-the-art machine shop, right here in Sheffield. Each component of the coupling is carefully machined to the highest standards. Our skilled machinists use precision equipment to create the essential parts of each coupling. This attention to detail ensures that every component is made to fit

Ever wondered what the markings on PCL Couplings mean? Here’s your quick guide!

If you’ve ever looked closely at a PCL coupling and wondered what the markings on it signify, you're not alone! You're not alone! It's one of our frequently asked questions, so we've created this quick guide to break it down for you.

PCL Logo

Every PCL coupling has the PCL logo engraved on it, ensuring that you have an authentic, high-quality product. When you see the PCL logo, you can trust that the coupling meets our exacting standards. 

Part Number Prefix

New badge stamps wartime birth of the MK2, now the  world-leading MK4

“An Essential Feature of Every Well-Equipped Garage” 

PCL is celebrating 80 years of handheld inflation with the launch of an icon reflecting the design and engineering excellence for which its “Made in Sheffield” products are renowned. 

The 6^th of May 2025 marks the exact day the design for the original  Vertex Tyre Inflator, better known as the MK2, design was finalised.  

The famous MK2 Tyre Inflator became one of the UK’s most familiar tools in garages and service stations between 1945 and 1993 and is still used by many today.   

Promising guaranteed accuracy, the MK2 fast became an essential piece of kit due to its “speedy and unrestricted filtered air flow” and “unbreakable” weatherproof design.