Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

SiG helps drive growth of SWMF

South West Metal Finishing (SWMF) announced today that its sales had increased by 15% in 2016 and that it was on track to grow by 57% to £11 million by 2020, thanks in part to support from the Sharing in Growth (SiG) scheme.


Courtesy SWMF / iStock
 
Exeter-based SWMF, which was the first surface treatment company to be part of SiG, values the scheme as a £1.2 million investment in skills and training.
 
The purpose of the SIG scheme is to protect 10,000 jobs within the UK aerospace market. Over 60 companies are involved.

Advertisement
ODU RT

SWMF has capability across all surface treatments, including; electroplating, electroless plating, anodising, conversion coatings, paint and non-destructive testing. It can work with any metal and has developed specific expertise in: nickel, zinc, copper, cadmium, silver, chromium, alloy, anodising, phosphate and aluminium conversion coatings.


Courtesy SWMF / iStock
 
The company holds a wide range of approvals working with major companies including Airbus, Leonardo, Eaton Aerospace, Honeywell and Rolls Royce.

Advertisement
ODU RT

All four of SWMF sites are AS9100 and NADCAP accredited and it operates a collection and delivery service throughout the UK and Europe.

Jackie Jacobs from South West Metal Finishing said: “The start to 2017 has been fantastic for the company, with growth across all areas and, thanks partly to Sharing in Growth, a rapidly developing workforce whose skills are increasing every day.

“We are looking forward to continuing this progression and achieve our target of £11million sales by 2020. These are very exciting times for our industry.”

SWMF is an industry leading supplier of unrivalled quality and performance in surface finishing, serving aerospace, defence, oil & gas, power generation & nuclear, medical, automotive and marine.
 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Prof. Malcolm Macdonald assumes Presidency of RAeS

Aerospace

Prof. Malcolm Macdonald assumes Presidency of RAeS

14 May 2026

Professor Malcolm Macdonald FRAeS assumes the Presidency of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) - the oldest aeronautical society in the world and the only professional body dedicated to the entire aerospace community - taking up the post of President following the formal announcement at the Society’s AGM this month.

Farnborough Airport to display Richard Cresswell

Aerospace Events

Farnborough Airport to display Richard Cresswell's Spitfire-inspired sculpture

14 May 2026

Farnborough Airport has announced the installation of a striking aviation-inspired sculpture in partnership with The Sculpture Park, Farnham, which will be on display at the Airport from early May through to the beginning of August 2026.

NPAS gains funding for additional helicopters

Aerospace Security

NPAS gains funding for additional helicopters

14 May 2026

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has welcomed confirmation from the UK Minister of State for Policing and Crime that funding has been approved for two additional brand-new police helicopters to complement its National Fleet Replacement Programme (FRP).

K3Metrology secures UKI2S advanced manufacturing support

Aerospace

K3Metrology secures UKI2S advanced manufacturing support

13 May 2026

K3Metrology, a UK spin-out from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), has secured a £2.75 million seed investment led by the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), to commercialise a new generation of large-scale measurement technology designed to improve efficiency and reduce delays in advanced manufacturing and aerospace.

Advertisement
ODU RT
European air passenger traffic expands +3.8% in March

Aerospace

European air passenger traffic expands +3.8% in March

13 May 2026

European airport trade body ACI EUROPE today released its traffic report for March and the first quarter of 2026.

SMD selects D-RisQ to advance autonomous systems

Aerospace Defence Security

SMD selects D-RisQ to advance autonomous systems

13 May 2026

Malvern based D-RisQ Ltd has been selected by SMD to accelerate development of their autonomy programme.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard