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India-owned military supplier opens Swindon manufacturing plant, creating 80 jobs

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It is the company’s second facility at its site at Headlands Grove

Westwire's new facility in Swindon

Westwire’s new facility in Swindon(Image: handout)

A new manufacturing plant that will make electrical harnesses for the military, aerospace and transport sectors has opened in Swindon, creating 80 jobs. Westwire Harnessing designs and produces mission-critical electrical systems used by military aircraft, drones, armoured vehicles and space satellites.

The company, which was established in 1987, is already based in the town and has built its new manufacturing plant opposite its current facility at Headlands Grove.

The new site expands Westwire’s footprint from 10,000 to more than 21,000 sq ft. It also positions the business to double output over the next three years in response to demand from the defence market, the company said.

“Today marks an important milestone for Westwire,” said managing director Andy Russell. “The opening of our new Swindon facility significantly enhances our manufacturing capability and underlines our commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions that support our armed forces.

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“We are proud to create around 80 new skilled jobs in Swindon, providing opportunities for skilled talent in a sector that is vital to the local area.”

Westwire is owned by India-headquartered SASMOS HET Technologies, which acquired the Swindon-based manufacturer in 2021. The acquisition marked the company’s first investment outside India.

Westwire said its parent firm “continues to support the UK operation” with advanced technology transfer and “complementary capabilities”, including fibre optics, photonics, and power management.

Local MP Will Stone said: “Westwire is an important part of Swindon’s industrial fabric. The creation of 80 high-quality jobs is fantastic news for our community and reflects the town’s growing role in advanced manufacturing and the UK defence sector.”

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The announcement comes as defence contractors continue to be drawn to the town.

Last November, German defence firm Stark officially opened a drone factory in Swindon, creating 100 jobs, while Tekever, one of Europe’s top drone manufacturing enterprises, opened its own site in the north of the town in September.

Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of the Borough Council, said at the time the company’s decision was a “huge endorsement” for Swindon.

Another tech company to establish a site in Swindon recently is Munin Dynamics – a drone defence firm founded by a former paratrooper in the Norwegian special forces. And drone business Flyby also announced plans last year to set up in the town.

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Mr Stone previously told the BBC that Swindon’s “very good strategic location” along with its skilled workforce and cheap employment land meant it was an “easy sell” for defence firms.

Its long industrial history, which stretches back to the 1800s, also helps. In the 19th century Great Western Railway helped transform Swindon from a small, Wiltshire market town into an industrial giant with one of the largest railway engineering complexes in the world.

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Leading exchange NSE reported a 37% year-on-year (YoY) slump in its consolidated net profit at Rs 2,408 crore in the third quarter, while total income fell 9% YoY to Rs 4,395 crore.

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