Over the past two decades,
ANT Industries has established itself as one of the UK’s great export success stories. From its base in Atherstone, Warwickshire, the precision engineering specialist has transformed into a global supplier of aerospace components, with overseas sales which began in 1997 becoming 80% of turnover today. Its products are shipped to customers in countries spanning three continents, supporting some of the world’s most advanced civil aerospace programmes and generating skilled employment in the UK.
For managing director Shaun Rowley, this trajectory reflects a clear long-term commitment to growth. “Exports now account for the vast majority of our sales, and that has been built steadily over the years by focusing on quality, capability and customer trust. We have gone from being a domestic supplier to competing – and winning – on the global stage. That success is not just about machinery, it is about the skills of our people and the resilience of our business.”
From its 28,000ft
2 facility in Warwickshire, ANT manufactures high-precision rings, casings, complex prismatic components and assemblies for aerospace and gas turbine engines. Its customers include leading global names such as Rolls-Royce, Eaton Aerospace and ITP, and the company has secured more than £30 million in orders for the next three years. Mr Rowley believes this growth is rooted in continuous reinvestment.
Growth marketHe continued: “We have invested heavily in advanced five-axis machining centres and grinding technology because we see the scale of opportunity ahead. Yes, there are challenges – whether that is geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruption, or shifting demand — but aerospace is a growth market. We are committed to ensuring UK suppliers like us are equipped to meet that demand.”
The company’s international success has also underpinned significant job creation at home. ANT has expanded its team in recent years with a focus on apprenticeships, diversity and upskilling, ensuring the next generation of engineers is ready to take the sector forward. “For us, investing in people is every bit as important as investing in machines. We have been successful in attracting young engineers and encouraging more women into advanced manufacturing, which strengthens both our company and the wider UK aerospace industry.”
That emphasis on talent, technology and global reach has enabled ANT Industries to grow from a small local toolmaker founded in 1972 into a Tier One supplier recognised worldwide for precision aerospace components.
Mr Rowley concluded: “Our export growth has been a journey of commitment and confidence. We are proud to fly the flag for UK manufacturing and to prove that a business rooted in Warwickshire can play a leading role on the international stage.”