UK firm secures £60m precision engineering contract

Posted on 1 Aug 2017 by Jonny Williamson

Midlands-based Nasmyth Metallics Bulwell has secured contracts worth more than £60m from global engine maker Rolls-Royce.

Precision Engineering - The Rolls-Royce Trent-xWB engine. Rolls-Royce has recently been embroiled in bribery claim brought by the Serious Fraud Office relating to bribery and corruption involving intermediaries in a number of overseas markets - image courtesy of Rolls-Royce.
Nasmyth Bulwell’s parts are destined for engines that include the Rolls-Royce XWB and the turbofan engine Trent 1000 – image courtesy of Rolls-Royce.

The new contracts, which create and secure jobs at the company’s Pinxton plant, enter Nasmyth Bulwell into long-term agreements for legacy and new complex components.

These are destined for engines that reportedly include the Rolls-Royce XWB and Trent 1000 which are fitted to Airbus and Boeing’s new wide body airlines.

Established in 1956, Nasmyth Bulwell has been supplying Rolls-Royce for almost 50 years. It has continued to heavily invest in the latest manufacturing technology and in the skills of its growing 260-strong workforce.

Nasmyth Bulwell is also celebrating receiving a Business Leaders Award from global multinational defence, security and aerospace customer BAE Systems. The award recognised work done by Bulwell with BAE Systems to machine a fuel pipe that had been traditionally difficult to manufacture by casting.

The recent success follows its work with Sharing in Growth (SiG), the government-backed programme to raise the productivity and competitiveness of the UK aerospace supply chain.

Having ambitious growth plans, Nasmyth Bulwell joined the programme in 2014 and has since increased its turnover from £24m to around £30m, and hired 20 skilled engineers, operators and apprentices. It is currently recruiting further skilled engineers.

Working with SiG’s cross-functional team, Nasmyth Bulwell has developed its strategy and business planning, rolling out visual management and key performance indicators to engage employees.

Staff development has included leadership training and 36 people are undertaking NVQs in Business Improvement Techniques. Sharing in Growth has also supported Nasmyth Bulwell to project manage its major capital investments.

Nasmyth Bulwell is spending £2.2m on installing state-of-the-art equipment that includes both 4 and 5-axis milling machines, complimented by two turning centres.

Eddie Jones, director of Nasmyth Metallics Bulwell and Arden, commented: “The investments underpin the current expansion plans of the business and enhance the technical capabilities of Nasmyth Bulwell.”