Bath-based Horstman UK has been selected to provide a complex gearbox in support of the British Army’s Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle programme, both for the UK and future exports.

Now part of the RENK Group, the £12 million contract continues the company’s long heritage of providing combat mobility solutions in support of British and allied forces.

RENK, a German headquartered multi-national company, has invested significantly in the UK following the acquisition of Horstman UK in 2019 with new machinery and an expanded apprenticeship programme.

While the company is best known for its armoured vehicle suspension systems, the Boxer award rekindles a significant history in producing gearboxes in Bath for battle tank turrets, tactical 4×4s and combat engineering vehicles.

Notably, RENK has made all production Angular gearboxes for the Boxer to date and as a parent company, it is fully supportive of all required technical support and investment into Horstman to ensure that the identical product is built in the UK, following identical processes and procedures.

RENK Test Systems are delivering the end of line test equipment to Horstman for the Boxer project. This low risk approach is coupled with Horstman’s AS9100 level quality accreditation to ensure the user receives a quality product.

Threaded throughout Horstman’s workforce are a number of ex-military personnel, well versed in working with the British Army and industry alike. Horstman’s supply chain and customer base is well established and experienced across multiple countries and vehicles, including Canada, Europe and Australia.

As well as strengthening its ongoing European collaborations, this award and anticipated follow-on work on the UK Boxer gearbox programme will create or sustain up to 20 skilled roles across Horstman and the wider UK supply chain. In Bath in particular the company will expand its inspection, assembly, test and paint teams.