While the UK economy wrestles with a surprise contraction and widespread slowdown in manufacturing, one company in the Midlands is quietly defying the trend — and not just holding steady, but growing at a record pace. Atherstone-based ANT Industries, a longstanding supplier of precision aerospace engine components, is reporting unprecedented growth in 2025, as others in the sector brace for headwinds.
At a time when the Office for National Statistics confirms a second consecutive month of negative GDP growth, driven largely by a fall in industrial production, ANT Industries is accelerating its investment programme, expanding capability, and winning new business both domestically and overseas.
“We’re seeing growth like we’ve never seen before,” says Shaun Rowley, Managing Director of ANT Industries. “While the wider economic data paints a challenging picture, for us it’s been an extraordinary year. We’ve secured several new programmes, expanded our customer base, and continued investing in advanced manufacturing technology. That combination is driving both volume and value.”
This confidence is underpinned by the recent installation of a Mitsubishi MV4800S wire erosion machine — a high-precision addition to the company’s machining capabilities that reflects both growing demand and a proactive strategy to remain ahead of aerospace quality expectations. The machine’s micrometre-level accuracy and enhanced productivity features allow ANT to push the boundaries of what’s possible in tight-tolerance part production, something increasingly critical for next-generation aerospace propulsion systems.
“We’re not making generic parts — these are mission-critical components for some of the most demanding applications in the world,” Rowley explains. “So when we invest, it’s not just about speed or cost. It’s about being able to guarantee absolute consistency at the tightest tolerances, again and again. That’s what sets us apart.”
It’s this relentless focus on quality and precision that has helped ANT Industries maintain — and grow — its position as a trusted first-tier supplier to major aerospace and gas turbine engine manufacturers around the globe. Operating from a 28,000 square foot facility in Warwickshire, the company’s work spans over 20 different engine platforms, including engine rings, casings, prismatic parts, and precision-machined castings.
While many manufacturers have been hampered by inflation, skills shortages, and tariff pressures, Rowley attributes ANT’s performance to early investment in capability and a long-term approach to customer relationships. “We’ve never chased short-term contracts,” he says. “Our business is built on delivering value through reliability, innovation, and integrity — and that resonates with customers, particularly in times like these.”
Despite uncertainty in the UK economy, global demand for aerospace components — particularly for newer, more efficient engines — remains strong. ANT Industries is capitalising on that momentum, supplying both production and aftermarket components, and expanding into emerging markets with a growing portfolio of international clients.
“The global aerospace sector is evolving,” says Rowley. “There’s a real appetite for technically capable, responsive, quality-focused suppliers. That’s exactly where we sit. We’re small enough to be agile, but experienced and equipped enough to meet the toughest quality and delivery standards.”
This growth has not come without challenge. The firm, like many in its sector, has had to navigate workforce pressures, regulatory complexity, and cost volatility. But Rowley believes it’s precisely in these conditions that specialist manufacturers can stand out. “It’s about being the most dependable,” he says. “In this climate, customers are looking for partners who can offer stability, transparency and technical leadership — and that’s what we’re delivering.”
With continued investment planned for the second half of the year and a pipeline of work stretching into 2026 and beyond, Rowley remains confident in ANT Industries’ trajectory. “We’re not taking anything for granted, but the fundamentals are strong. We’ve got the right people, the right equipment, and the right mindset. As far as we’re concerned, the future looks bright.”
In a year when headlines are dominated by contraction and caution, ANT Industries is quietly writing a different story — one of resilience, growth, and precision under pressure.