King’s Award-winning Derbyshire manufacturer Acres Engineering is expanding its defence work after delivering its first products helping ramp up production of the mammoth new Boxer armoured vehicle for the British Army.
Melbourne-based Acres has delivered its first specially commissioned safety-critical products helping armoured vehicle maker Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL)’s produce hundreds of the Boxer.
The eight-by-eight-wheeled, all-terrain, armoured transport machine is destined to become the new British Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV).
Acres has now completed design and delivery of projects such as an engine stand and driver’s hatch trolley which have enabled RBSL to increase its own capacity to power up processes in delivering major orders to the British Army.
The company has worked with RBSL for a number of years and these are its first projects connected with the prestigious Boxer project, with talks ongoing for more.
The first UK Boxer was delivered from RBSL’s production facility in Telford to the Armoured Trials Unit in Bovington last year.
The Boxer programme supports 1,000 skilled jobs and more than 100 suppliers.
Around 75 per cent of each British-built Boxer is sourced from UK companies, supporting the Government’s ambition to grow and sustain the UK defence industry.
Andrew McMahon Stone, manufacturing engineer from RBSL, said: “We appreciate working with Acres Engineering because they understand our requirements and they are reliable. The fact they are both British and reliable is a huge advantage to this country’s defence firms in delivering the products we want. Being able to rely on these companies helps us increase our capacity to deliver to the British Army.”
One of only 186 UK businesses to have won a King’s Award for Enterprise this year, Acres Engineering holds Armed Forces Gold Covenant status because of its commitment to supporting veterans, reservists and military families in many ways including through employment.
Now Acres, a bespoke turnkey manufacturer with capacity for tube and sheet laser cutting, water jet cutting, powder coating, mechanical electrical assembly, load testing and servicing, has joined the growing number of companies in the UK and Europe expanding into making products destined to support the armed forces.
Managing director Luke Parker said it was work the company was proud to be doing.
He said: “We are very proud to be a supplier to RBSL and to have successfully worked with them in delivering these specially designed products helping them ramp up production of Boxer vehicles for the British Army.
“As turnkey manufacturers based in Britain it’s work we are well placed to do. We’re a British company and it’s very important that the Army has the best equipment at its disposal – we are pleased to be playing our part in that.
“Acres was founded in 1947, just after the Second World War, and we’ve been adapting to the changing needs around us ever since. As Armed Forces Gold Covenant holders it feels right that we are working to support the British Army with our products.”
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, told a recent Defence, Procurement, Research, Technology and Exportability Conference of the importance of using British firms.
Buckingham Palace announced in May that Acres had been crowned with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity.
The prestigious accolade was the only one of its kind awarded in Derbyshire and recognises Acres’ deep commitment to employees through its ‘People’s First Pledge’.
As well as being an Armed Forces Gold Covenant holder, Acres has helped many people gain employment in the skilled metal fabrication sector by providing more than 100 apprenticeships over the years, along with comprehensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) across the workforce and a wide range of other outreach programmes including work placements and school open days.
This story was written and shared on behalf of Acres Engineering by Lucy Stephens. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
