The region’s contributions to advances in the aerospace and advanced engineering industry are globally renowned – from Brunel’s suspension bridge and the Bristol Aeroplane Company, to Concorde and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, all leading the way in collaborative aeronautical research.
The industries that have grown up to support aerospace continue to innovate, and Bristol is increasingly recognised for its advanced engineering and manufacturing sectors. This sector is supported both by an extensive regional and national supply chain, providing materials, components and technical services and organisations such as the West of England Aerospace Forum, EEF and the Manufacturing Advisory Service.
The city region also hosts many centres of excellence: the Bristol Composites Institute, Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information and the School of Physics, all at the University of Bristol and the National Composites Centre in the Bristol & Bath Science Park, the Robotics Lab at the University of the West of England and the South West Composites Centre at the City of Bristol College.
“During my time in Engineering in Bristol, I have seen huge changes in the skills required to succeed in the sector. Technical aptitude and a need to embrace the embedding of IT in the sector means that, while the traditional, core skills in tool making remain, new technology has led to a rapid change in working practices and manufacturing processes.”
Steve Bird, Maintenance Manager, Sanoh UK Manufacturing
Some examples of engineering companies in Bristol:
