A proud Coventry firm is celebrating a special milestone – a century of manufacturing in the city
NP Aerospace first started out as a manufacturer of spinning boxes for artificial silk production in 1926 as part of the Courtaulds Group.
Since that time it has evolved into a global exporter of defence and security solutions.
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In 1979, the company entered the defence market producing the first composite helmet for the British Army – the GS Mk6 variant.
During the 1990s, it armoured the Snatch Land Rover, the world’s first fully composite armoured vehicle, and in 2006 armoured and integrated the first Mastiff six-wheel-drive patrol vehicle for the UK Ministry of Defence, for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Over the following eight years, more than 750 Cougar protected vehicles, including Mastiff, Ridgback, Wolfhound and Buffalo platforms, were delivered.
Centenary celebrations have taken place at NP Aerospace as staff and visitors check out some of the special vehicles it helps to manufacture
Now known as a world-leading armour manufacturer and vehicle integrator, the firm employs over 450 people, with two large defence and composite manufacturing facilities on Foleshill Road and Courtaulds Way.
It has weathered a number of storms with global and economic change, from the Second World War, the oil crises and three-day working week of the 1970s, to economic recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Its ability to evolve has seen it achieve a number of UK manufacturing firsts, including becoming the first to spin viscose rayon, known as artificial silk, pioneering compression moulding techniques, and becoming one of the UK’s first manufacturers of carbon fibre in 1966
‘Proud part of the city’s story’
James Kempston, CEO and owner of NP Aerospace said: “Since 1926, through generations of change including wars, economic cycles and technological revolutions, NP Aerospace has remained a place of innovation, craftsmanship, and resilience, thanks to the dedication of its people.
“Coventry has a proud history of manufacturing, reinvention and resilience and has always been a city that looks forward.
“We are proud to be part of that story and look forward to continuing to invest in our people, our capabilities and our future here in Coventry.”
NP Aerospace has expanded in Coventry(Image: NP Aerospace)
Former CEO of NP Aerospace Roger Medwell, who led the company for 30 plus years from the late 1970s, added: “It was an exciting period for me as we fought to survive turbulent times.
“The GSMK6 Helmet was a programme that we were equipped for in more ways than one, we had the right size presses in abundance and we had the knowledge having produced the composite spinning boxes; then we came up with a patent which reduced the material used per helmet by 40 per cent – no one could compete with us.
“We are the only Courtaulds operation in Coventry to survive of the original operating units. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and of our contribution to the city of Coventry.”
The centenary celebrations coincided with Armed Forces Week, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to protecting those who serve.
After 100 years, the firm’s focus is firmly on the future and with a definitive agreement to acquire U.S.-based defence protection specialist Iten Defense, it says it will further strengthen its work not only in the city, but across the world.
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