Universal acquires Pheonix
Above: Universal Engineering has extensive experience delivering high quality and often, safety-critical parts to the aerospace industry.
Henry Game, Chief Executive of the Bland Group commented: "Since the Bland Group acquired Universal Engineering in 2009 we have sought to strengthen Universal’s market presence and to ensure its customers viewed the company as a well managed, financially secure scalable strategic supplier capable of delivering continuously enhanced precision engineering solutions."
Universal Engineering has been expanding its footprint in precision aerospace component manufacturing and is pleased to have been able to acquire a business with sound growth plans of its own. Universal’s Managing Director, Mark Cooper, said: "The coming together of Universal and Phoenix will deliver a number of synergies that will not only be of benefit to both companies but in particular to our customers. The breadth and experience that the Universal Engineering management team brings to its customers, backed by the Bland Group, will enable Phoenix to align more strategically to their customers requirements in future programme growth. We welcome the management and employees of Phoenix to the Universal family and look forward to working alongside its professional, committed and highly regarded team."
Glenn Richardson, Managing Director of Phoenix CNC Engineering commented, ‘As soon as we met the team from Universal it was evident that combining the two organisations would create a capability and expertise that would meet all of the characteristics that our customers expect of their future strategic suppliers. Both organisations are already experiencing above expected growth. Together the potential exists for this to accelerate. We welcome the opportunity to be a part of this unique and diverse Group of companies."
Phoenix, established in 2001, machines components for a number of Tier 1 aerospace companies and OEMs. The management recognised that in order to transition from a tactical supplier of late definition, speed shop and spares to a strategic supplier of volume parts to aircraft manufacturing programmes, additional skills and capabilities were required.
Universal was established in 1959, and has a reputation for delivering high quality engineered products to a number of industry sectors including discrete parts to fully integrated systems in: Oil & Gas, Defence Vehicles, Naval / Marine systems and Aerospace industries. Universal has sites in Weymouth and Llantrisant. Universal, has been developing an extensive supply chain including an effective low cost country sourcing strategy. In 2014 at Farnborough’s International Air Show, Universal’s success in achieving the SC21 Silver Award was marked by the presentation of this award by Ray Edwards, Group Managing Director at Agusta Westland.