Significant Industries in Gloucestershire
Advanced engineering is a very diverse sector, with considerable economic importance to the county. The major advanced engineering companies predominantly operate in the following sub-sectors:
- Medical, Precision & Optical Instruments
- Aerospace
- Automotive Components
- Electronics and Telecommunications
The sector is dominated by the Medical, Precision & Optical Instruments sub-sector, which comprises 53% of total sector employment. Together, Stroud and Tewkesbury account for 72% of employees in the county, with Stroud having a 33% share, dominated by Medical, Precision & Optical Instruments. Tewkesbury has a 39% share of employees, split mainly between Medical, Precision & Optical Instruments and the Aerospace sub-sectors.
Ensuring the next generation of skilled workers
From September 2008, a new era of practical skills training in schools and colleges will be rolled out across Gloucestershire and the rest of the UK with the new Vocational Diplomas for 14-19 year olds in subjects including Engineering. Visit www.engineeringdiploma.com for further details.
From craft apprentices to technicians, and from electronics engineering graduates to post-graduate systems engineers, Gloucestershire is based within easy reach of many Further and Higher Education establishments, as well as private training providers offering career pathways to young people and employees wishing to pursue additional qualifications and practical skills in various fields of advanced engineering.
FE & HE Engineering Courses and Training
INVESTOR PROFILES
GE Aviation
Established as Smiths Aerospace in Cheltenham in 1939, and now called GE Aviation, this company is a major industrial force in Gloucestershire, with approximately 1600 locally based employees. GE Aviation is a major global supplier of avionics and related equipment to aviation and defence industries. The company specialises in the design and manufacture of integrated electrical power distribution and management systems, fuel gauging, integrated utilities systems and complete fuel systems. GE Aviation also designs and manufactures integrated landing gear and hydraulic systems.
Messier-Dowty
Part of the SAFRAN group, Messier-Dowty is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of fully integrated landing gear systems for all types of aircraft, including commercial and military aircraft, and rotorcraft.
With 1000 employees at its Staverton, Gloucestershire, site, Messier-Dowty is a supplier for Airbus and Boeing and won the contract for the main landing gear on the Airbus A350XWB. The company has also designed and produced the 787 Dreamliner landing gear.
Moog Controls
Specialising in motion control technology, Moog Controls in Tewkesbury designs and manufactures high-pressure hydraulic actuators and servo control devices for markets as diverse as military and commercial aircraft, power generation, Formula One racing and medical infusion systems.
Developing products and technologies for new programmes, such as the replacement of existing aircraft, is a key focus for the 400 employees based in the Tewkesbury division, which also produces parts for the A400M and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
L-3 TRL Technology
L-3 TRL designs, develops and integrates a wide range of innovative defence solutions for government and defence organisations around the world, including the UK Ministry of Defence. The company, which provides intelligent proprietary solutions, including electronic warfare systems (EW), force protection, satellite monitoring and surveillance, is based in Tewkesbury.
ARRK Product Development Group
The largest prototype, tooling and moulding manufacturer in the world, ARRK has based its European headquarters in Gloucester. A leader in Rapid Product Development for over 50 years, the Gloucester site has specialist experience in the delivery of rapid prototyping, reaction injection moulding and 3D CAD design as well as other other product innovations.
Seeking further advice and information?
Contact the Invest in Gloucestershire Team
Other Useful Links
The Engineering Employers Federation (Western) is a membership-based organisation for engineering, manufacturing and technology-based businesses. www.eef.org.uk/western
The South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (SWMAS) is one of ten manufacturing advisory services set up by the UK Government. www.swmas.co.uk
The West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) provides a focal point of activity for the region, to boost competitiveness and growth in the aerospace industry. www.weaf.co.uk