Gardner Aerospace opens Long-Bed Machining Centre in Derby

Gardner Aerospace has officially opened its new Long-Bed Machining Centre at its Derby headquarters, marking a significant milestone for both the company and the wider Midlands manufacturing community. The event was attended by representatives from Made in the Midlands and officiated by Derby South MP Baggy Shanker, who praised the investment as a vote of confidence in the region’s industrial future.

For Gardner Aerospace, one of Derby’s longest-established names in engineering, the opening signals not only technological advancement but also a commitment to safeguarding skills and high-value jobs in the UK aerospace sector.

Derby’s aerospace heritage

Gardner traces its origins back to the late 19th century, when it was established as an engineering firm producing oil engines. Over time, the business pivoted towards aerospace and today operates as a global supplier of precision components and assemblies. With around 2,000 employees spread across nine sites in Europe, India and China, the company manufactures over a million parts a year for leading names such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream.

The Derby facility has long been central to Gardner’s operations, serving as the headquarters as well as a hub for advanced manufacturing and logistics. The new machining centre adds another layer of capability, reinforcing Derby’s reputation as a global aerospace hub.

The Gardner name is rooted in Derby’s history, but this investment shows we are just as focused on the future.

Cutting-edge capability

The Long-Bed Machining Centre is equipped with Modig machining systems, highly advanced Swedish-built equipment capable of producing some of the largest and most complex aerospace components. Each machine represents an investment of more than $3 million, underlining the scale of Gardner’s commitment to innovation.

This expansion positions Gardner to scale alongside its customers as the aerospace industry ramps up production in the coming decade. Airbus, for example, is planning significant increases in aircraft output, and suppliers such as Gardner are expected to play a vital role in delivering on those ambitions.

Resilience in a turbulent sector

The opening also highlights Gardner’s resilience in what has been a turbulent period for aerospace. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic drop in aircraft production, but Gardner’s leadership and investors maintained support through the downturn. As a result, the company was able to recover strongly as demand returned, and today it reports annual revenues of around $250 million.

Its parts can be found across the entire aircraft, from wing ribs and fuselage components to pylons and complex assemblies. The investment in Derby is part of a broader long-term strategy to reinforce these capabilities and ensure competitiveness on a global scale.

Supporting people and place

For Derby, the investment is as much about people as it is about technology. Speaking at the opening, local MP Baggy Shanker drew on his experience in aerospace, having worked for 12 years at Rolls-Royce, to emphasise the importance of manufacturing to the region’s economy.

The ceremony included a tour of the new facility, with guests invited to see the machines in action and speak to the employees who will operate them. Many of Gardner’s staff have built decades-long careers with the business, a reflection of the company’s investment in skills and progression.

Made in the Midlands connection

Made in the Midlands, part of the Made in Group, was also represented at the event. With over 300 members across the UK, the group promotes regional manufacturing leadership and champions investment in skills, technology and collaboration. Their involvement highlighted the wider significance of Gardner’s move, not just for one company, but for the strength of British manufacturing as a whole.

Looking forward

The Derby site will not only handle production but also serve as a centre for trialling new parts and processes before they are scaled up at Gardner’s international facilities. This ensures that Derby remains at the forefront of innovation while the business benefits from a global footprint.

For Gardner Aerospace, the Long-Bed Machining Centre is a symbol of confidence and ambition: an investment in the future of the business, the city and the aerospace sector at large.

This is about investing for the future, creating the capacity, skills and resilience to ensure Gardner remains a trusted aerospace partner for the next generation.