Armstrong Group Shifts Up a Gear into Aerospace and Defence

Visionary Leadership and Strategic Diversification

Armstrong Group, a prominent Midlands-based manufacturer specialising in precision manufacturing in stainless steel, aluminium, and composite materials, is driving growth through strategic diversification into aerospace and defence sectors. Operating from an expansive 160,000-square-foot facility in North Coventry, Armstrong employs around 160 people, significantly contributing to the Midlands economy. Under new private ownership and the dynamic leadership of Managing Director Richard Lindoe, the company has undergone remarkable transformation since July 2020, enhancing operational efficiency, technological innovation, and workforce morale.

Lindoe strongly emphasises workforce development: "Our employees are central to everything we do. Fair pay, clear career pathways, and a supportive work environment are essential to our success. We have family members here, which is a testament to the fact that our workforce is secure and well looked after with good benefits. We have apprenticeships working in different departments to continue supporting our growth."

Initially confronted with significant operational challenges intensified by COVID-19 disruptions and structural inefficiencies, Lindoe quickly implemented comprehensive restructuring. He streamlined management roles, notably consolidating multiple production management positions into a single cohesive operations management role led by long-term employee Ryan Lally. David Ladley joined as Group Finance Director in 2022 to further support the company’s solid growth plans. Lindoe reflects, "When I arrived, we had 17 separate managers for each unit, which limited collaboration. By creating a cohesive management structure, we've empowered our workforce, improved operational efficiency, and strengthened team collaboration significantly. I believe we have a pretty strong team around us now." One of Lindoe’s common statements is that ‘Improvements never end,’ and that commitment is evident in the factory and the team making parts every day.

Building on Automotive Excellence and Expanding into Aerospace and Defence

Armstrong’s solid foundation in automotive manufacturing has been built on decades of delivering precision-engineered components to luxury brands such as Rolls Royce, McLaren, and Bentley. Their exceptional quality standards are demonstrated by an impressive parts-per-million (PPM) rejection rate of just 113 PPM in 2024, greatly surpassing Rolls Royce’s rigorous standard of 10,000 PPM. Armstrong also received the coveted Supplier Excellence Award from McLaren in 2023. Lindoe emphasises, "Our automotive experience ensures we consistently meet and exceed the highest standards expected by global luxury manufacturers."

Leveraging this heritage, Armstrong Group is now actively expanding into aerospace and defence, securing contracts to develop carbon fibre components with Rolls Royce Aero Engines for Trent 900 series turbines. Lindoe comments, "Securing aerospace contracts validates our capabilities to meet stringent industry standards, significantly broadening our market reach." Additionally, Armstrong's involvement in other innovative projects, such as manufacturing cooling plates for Fortescue's electric mining trucks—each requiring precise battery temperature management—further showcases the company's advanced engineering capabilities.

Strategic Investments and Growth Ambitions

Under new leadership, Armstrong has made substantial investments, including £950,000 in 2021 for an additional Trumpf Laser Cell and £2.3 million in 2023 for a carbon fibre manufacturing cell supported with autoclaves, kit cutting, and two Breton five-axis CNC machines. In 2025, the company is investing a further £700,000 in a robotic bonding assembly line—all of which have significantly enhanced Armstrong’s competitive position, allowing it to effectively compete in demanding new sectors.

With a current annual turnover of around £25 million, Armstrong is optimistic about significantly scaling revenues to £50 million and beyond. However, Lindoe remains cautious, acknowledging the intense global competition facing UK manufacturers. Reflecting this balance, he stresses, "Manufacturing in Britain faces severe threats from international competitors, especially low-cost regions. To stay competitive and continue growing, we must always prioritise continuous investment in innovation, technology, and diversification into emerging sectors. What we can provide to our customers is our location relative to the UK OEMs that demand rapid response to engineering changes and a far shorter supply chain partnership to support JIT demands."

Scaling for the Future

Ilona Pitt, Director of Made in Group, recently visited Armstrong and remarked, "I was thoroughly impressed by the scale and ambition of Armstrong Group. Their strategic move into aerospace and defence highlights the incredible potential beyond their already impressive automotive heritage. With strong leadership and continuous investments, they're well-positioned to capture significant new opportunities and drive manufacturing excellence across multiple sectors. We're very proud to support their exciting journey."

Armstrong Group’s continued growth, strategic diversification, and robust investments exemplify the resilience and potential of manufacturing in the Midlands and across Great Britain.