Atherstone-based precision engineering firm ANT Industries is preparing for a new era of growth, as fresh forecasts predict record-breaking demand in the global aerospace MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) market over the next decade.
According to the 2026 Commercial Fleet & MRO Forecast by Aviation Week Network, the global in-service commercial fleet will grow from just over 34,600 aircraft in 2026 to 45,000 by 2035, driving a $1.6 trillion surge in MRO requirements. At the heart of this expansion is the rapid adoption of next-generation engines — particularly the CFM International Leap family, forecast to grow at 13% CAGR, and the Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan, set to expand by 10% CAGR.
For ANT Industries, which manufactures high-precision rings, casings, and prismatic components for aerospace and gas turbine engines, the outlook presents a golden opportunity to build on its international momentum.
“Aerospace is a growth market, and these figures only reinforce that,” says Shaun Rowley, Managing Director of ANT Industries. “We’ve invested significantly in advanced machining and grinding technologies because we understand where the sector is headed — and we intend to be at the forefront of that evolution.”
Founded as a small toolmaker in Warwickshire, ANT has transformed into a global aerospace supplier, with over 80% of turnover now generated through exports. The company’s parts are now flying with major players like Rolls-Royce, Eaton Aerospace, and ITP Aero, with £30 million of secured orders lined up for the next three years.
“Our growth has been built on quality, capability, and trust,” Rowley explains. “We’ve gone from being a UK-based supplier to competing — and winning — on a global scale.”
The Aviation Week forecast also highlights a significant shift in global fleet distribution, with countries like India and the Middle East seeing double-digit growth in MRO demand. That aligns with ANT’s export strategy, which is focused on fast-growing international markets.
“The global aerospace map is changing,” Rowley notes. “We’re seeing new demand centres emerge, and as a business that already exports to multiple continents, we’re in a strong position to serve them.”
But ANT’s success isn’t just about investing in capital equipment. The company has built a strong talent pipeline through apprenticeships, training initiatives, and a focus on diversity in engineering — all of which Rowley sees as critical to sustaining growth.
“For us, investing in people is just as important as investing in machines,” he says. “We’re committed to developing the next generation of engineers and creating opportunities here in the West Midlands, even as we serve customers worldwide.”
With engine MRO now forecast to represent over half (53%) of global MRO demand by 2035, ANT is well-placed to benefit from this shift. Its expertise in complex engine components makes it a valuable supplier as OEMs and airlines seek reliable, precision-manufactured parts to maintain performance and extend aircraft lifecycles.
As UK manufacturing navigates a post-Brexit, post-pandemic world, ANT Industries stands as a blueprint for export-led success — combining world-class engineering with a bold international outlook.
“We’re proud to fly the flag for British manufacturing,” Rowley concludes. “What started in Atherstone has grown into something global. And we’re just getting started.”