Business · Swindon
New drone component factory opens in Swindon
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A precision engineering firm has established a new manufacturing facility in Swindon, creating new job opportunities and strengthening the town's defence sector footprint.
A new precision engineering facility has opened its doors in Swindon, marking a further expansion in the town's growing defence and aerospace manufacturing sector. The site, located on Paddington Drive, was completed in just 87 days and is currently in operation, shipping components for the robotics, defence and aerospace industries.
The factory is part of a wider network managed by Isembard, a London-based manufacturer founded in 2024. The Swindon site is operated as a franchise by Jonathon Griffiths, a former Army officer who previously held senior management roles within Amazon’s Swindon operations.
Reflecting on the move, Mr Griffiths stated his ambition to establish a workplace where local residents can develop long-term careers in engineering. He emphasised the significance of the local manufacturing supply chain, noting that the small team at the Swindon site is already producing components for companies developing systems intended for national security.
The 5,050 sq ft facility utilises advanced computer-controlled cutting machinery, managed through proprietary software, which allows for high levels of precision in component assembly. The establishment of the site was supported by Swindon North MP Will Stone, who chairs the Cross-Party Group to Strengthen the UK Defence Supply Chain. Mr Stone assisted in facilitating the site search and connecting the operator with local property agents, citing Swindon's historical manufacturing heritage as a key factor in the decision.
Commenting on the development, Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander highlighted the resilience of the town's industrial skills. She noted that while the closure of the Honda factory in 2021 caused concerns regarding the future of local engineering, the arrival of companies like Isembard demonstrates that these skills remain highly sought after within the local economy.
The company, which now operates 17 sites across the UK, Europe, and the US, has stated an intention to reach 100 UK factories by the end of 2028, with the goal of creating 2,200 high-skilled jobs nationwide. The Swindon factory is currently in the process of recruiting three new machinists and programmers to expand its local workforce.
Source: Swindon Advertiser · View original