UK manufacturer to expand into defence and aerospace

Based in Bridgnorth, Grainger & Worrall specialises in prototyping, precision machining and manufacturing aluminium sand castings. More recently, the UK manufacturer has adopted a diversification strategy that has seen it secure over £30 million in new orders in aerospace, defence and energy sectors – all in just the first six months of the year.

With facilities sited at the Stanmore Industrial Estate, the company has weathered what CEO Duncan Eldridge referred to as a “tough trading environment” in recent years. However, thanks to its strategy shift, it has transitioned effectively to enter brand-new markets, which has helped bolster its revenues and supplied it with a solid foundation to build on.

The CEO added that the company’s longstanding and ongoing investments in technology, combined with its technical experience, enable it to deliver prototypes rapidly - sometimes in a 48-hour time frame. This has made it especially suited to its new clients in energy, aerospace and defence. 

Manufacturers working on defence and aerospace contracts with a quick turnaround sometimes rely on companies that can provide responsive part production to improve lead times. Suppliers can deliver key components used in both industries like custom made springs and heavy duty bolt clamps, such as the stainless steel T-bolt clamps that are critical for high-stress systems like hydraulic lines and engine ducting.

Counted among Bridgnorth’s biggest employers with over 450 members of staff, Grainger & Worrall took home the King’s Award for Innovation last year in recognition of its production capacity and technical expertise, both of which have supported customers developing light aircraft engines.