17
Dec 2025
7th Jan 2026
West Midlands manufacturer Rowan Precision is stepping up its ambitions into the defence supply chain after securing AS9100 accreditation, positioning the business to support higher-integrity, safety-critical programmes alongside its established aerospace work.
The accreditation, regarded as a prerequisite for many defence and aerospace contracts, underpins Rowan Precision’s strategy to move further up the value chain, combining quality assurance with advanced sliding head machining capabilities designed for complex, high-precision components.
Chief Operating Officer Glenn Aston said the move reflects both market demand and a deliberate long-term investment strategy.
“AS9100 demonstrates to defence and aerospace primes and Tier 1 suppliers that our systems, traceability, and culture are aligned with the expectations of safety-critical manufacturing. Defence customers want confidence, consistency, and resilience—and that’s exactly what this accreditation supports.”
Rowan Precision’s sliding head machining technology is central to that proposition, enabling the production of tight-tolerance components at volume while maintaining repeatability and process control. The capability is particularly suited to the complex geometries and smaller diameters often required in defence applications, from actuation systems to precision mechanical assemblies.
“Sliding head machining gives us a real technical edge,” Aston added. “It allows us to manufacture intricate parts efficiently, without compromising on accuracy. When you combine that with AS9100-aligned processes, it becomes a compelling offer for defence programmes that demand both precision and reliability.”
The defence sector’s renewed focus on sovereign capability, supply chain security, and long-term programme stability is creating opportunities for UK manufacturers able to meet stringent regulatory and quality requirements. Rowan Precision believes its investment in accreditation, skills, and technology places it well to support that shift.
“We’re seeing defence customers looking for partners they can grow with over the life of a programme,” said Aston. “Our aim is to be that partner—technically capable, quality-driven, and commercially robust.”
With AS9100 now in place, Rowan Precision is actively engaging with defence contractors and integrators, signalling its intent to become a trusted precision machining supplier in a sector where performance, compliance, and confidence are non-negotiable.