International Group launches IADA

Image courtesy International Group

IADA separates the group’s defence and aerospace capabilities from its energy products division, giving primes, Tier 1s and specialist suppliers a distinct commercial front, approvals pathway and customer interface built for A&D requirements, while continuing to draw on the Group’s integrated manufacturing base in Sheffield.

The timing is deliberate. Defence funding is rising across core markets just as global material supply chains remain tight. Global military spending is not only increasing in absolute terms but its share of the global economy is increasing as well. According to the United Nations Development Programme, since 2022, it has climbed from 2.2% to 2.5% of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and from 6.6% to 7.1% of governments budgets. The shift is widespread, with more than 100 countries boosting their military spending in 2024 alone. 

By aligning stockholding, forging and heat treatment, precision engineering, additive manufacturing and advanced NDT under one accountable owner, the new company reduces handoffs, shortens qualification cycles and provides fully traceable documentation from billet to release. 

Enquiries are open immediately ahead of formal go-live before year-end, with a dedicated team in place to manage approvals, audits and programme onboarding for both aerospace and defence customers.

“Our customers in aerospace and defence can’t afford friction,” said Emma Parkinson (above), Founder and CEO of the International Group. “When schedules are tight and documentation matters, material availability and quality have to be guaranteed – not hoped for. 

“By standing up a focused commercial organisation in IADA and connecting it directly to our integrated manufacturing and testing capability in Sheffield, we give procurement leaders a single, accountable partner who can move quickly, meet the standard first time and keep total programme costs under control.”

IADA inherits the credibility of a group with steel stockholding firm, International Energy Products (IEP), at its core. IEP was recognised as the 37th fastest-growing company in the UK in The Sunday Times 100 (2024) and a 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise winner in International Trade – independent markers of export performance, operational discipline and repeatable delivery. 

Parkinson, a Department for Business & Trade Export Champion, leads the International portfolio spanning International Energy Products, International Precision Engineering, International Additive Manufacturing, International NDT Solutions and International Forgings & Heat Treatment.

The addition of International Aerospace & Defence Alloys provides a complete solution from one partner to supply, process, machine and certify high-integrity alloys for mission-critical applications.