Hollygate Aircraft Components strengthens through UK Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme

Hollygate Aircraft Components is pleased to announce its enrolment in the UK MoD Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme; a national initiative designed to strengthen and future-proof the UK defence supply chain. This marks a significant step in Hollygate’s long-standing commitment to excellence, innovation and continuous improvement within the aerospace and defence sectors.

As part of the programme, Hollygate has already completed a detailed diagnostic assessment that examined the company’s current capabilities, future needs and long-term ambitions. This assessment forms the foundation of a bespoke Business Improvement Plan tailored specifically to them. The plan ensures that every area of development is relevant to the company’s strategic goals and supports the next stage of its growth.

The Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme is built around a comprehensive suite of support topics that help suppliers strengthen their performance in a structured and meaningful way. It focuses on five key areas of business capability - strategy, operations, sales, finance and people. Each area covers a wide range of subjects, including risk management, horizon scanning, leadership development and cultural training. This ensures that participating companies receive support that is both broad and deep.

For Hollygate Aircraft Components, this tailored support represents an opportunity to accelerate its continuous improvement journey. Continuous improvement is a defining part of the company’s culture and the programme provides a valuable framework for enhancing productivity, strengthening resilience and developing new capability. Working closely with industry specialists, Hollygate will refine its processes, enhance operational performance and build the skills needed to support future growth.

This new phase of development builds on Hollygate’s existing achievements, including its SC21 Silver accreditation. SC21 Silver is a respected industry benchmark for quality, delivery performance and business excellence. Keeping this accreditation demands discipline, investment, and a commitment to continuous improvement.  These values align closely with the objectives of the Defence Supplier Capability Development Programme and reinforce Hollygate’s commitment to raising its standards even further.

The programme also supports the wider ambition of strengthening the UK defence supply chain by helping high-potential suppliers build robust, competitive capability ready for future challenges. Hollygate’s participation reflects its determination to play an active role in this national effort and to contribute to a more resilient and productive defence ecosystem.

Hollygate Aircraft Components looks forward to working closely with the Ministry of Defence and programme partners throughout the year ahead. By combining the company’s engineering expertise with a fully customised improvement plan, Hollygate is positioning itself as a continued leader in precision aerospace manufacturing.

Four Hyde Aero Products companies presented with their SC21 Silver awards

In January, Steve Collins, Head of SC21 at ADS, visited Hyde Aero Products division to present four companies with their SC21 Silver awards and certificates: Stoneswood Precision Components (SPC), Victoria Production Engineering (VPE), Hyde Coatings and Hyde Aero Products.

This recognition for the Hyde Aero Products division, as well as its business units, is a testament to the dedication and determination of our teams. By fully embracing the SC21 principles, they continue to deliver sustainable improvements and outstanding service to our clients.

With eight SC21 awards under our belt (including six Silver), the division is aiming even higher: every business unit at Silver and 4 units at Gold by 2027.

SC21 is the leading supply chain improvement programme in the UK aerospace and defence sectors, setting a benchmark for the high standards expected by customers. It provides a robust framework that helps businesses enhance both quality and delivery performance in a competitive market.

Hyde Aero Products: Nathan Williams (Continuous Improvement Manager), Anthony Hammond (Joint Managing Director) and Anthony Williams (Associate Projects Director, with Steve Collins.

Victoria Production Engineering: Business Development Director, Steve Ackley and Operations Director Sean Binding, with Steve Collins.

Stoneswood Precision Components: Chris Lannigan (Business Development Director) and Charles Day (Managing Director), with Steve Collins.

Hyde Coatings: Joint Managing Directors Paul Tobin and Scott Murray, with Steve Collins.

Lights! Camera! Apprenticeships! Hyde Group featured in Train Tameside 500 video

Hyde Group was delighted to welcome Rhiannon Brown and George Dalton from Tameside College recently, as they filmed part of a promotional video for the ‘Train Tameside 500’ initiative.

This fantastic programme aims to recruit 500 new apprentices over the next two years to meet growing skills demands across key sectors in the region, including engineering, construction, automotive and health and social care.

A special mention to Grace Pearson, engineering apprentice at Manchester Precision Engineering and the current holder of Tameside College’s awards for ‘Engineering Student of the Year’ and overall ‘Student of the Year’. Grace did an amazing job in front of the camera! She was supported by Charlotte Yates from Hyde Group’s HR team, who shared insights on the great work Hyde Group is doing to create employment opportunities in the region. We can’t wait to see the finished video!

In October, Hyde Group was proud to be named one of five Train Tameside 500 Ambassadors, recognised for our ongoing commitment to apprenticeships, training, and skills development across Tameside. With 67 apprentices currently studying, 51 of them enrolled at Tameside College, we’re proud to play a leading role in equipping young people with the skills, experience and qualifications they need to succeed.

We believe apprenticeships are a vital investment in our community, our industry and our future workforce. By creating opportunities that empower individuals and strengthen the local economy, we help build rewarding careers while ensuring our workforce has the skills needed for the future.

If you’re interested in future apprenticeship opportunities with Hyde Group, please contact our HR team at careers@hydegroup.com.

A huge thank you to Tameside College and Tameside Council for their continued support and for championing the value of apprenticeship programmes.

Recognising technical excellence and dedication at Hollygate Fabrications

Congratulations to Dan Spensley, Quality Manager and Responsible Welding Coordinator at Hollygate Fabrications, on achieving his International Welding Technologist (IWT) and European Welding Technologist (EWT) qualifications through TWI.

This accomplishment, sponsored by Hollygate Fabrications, marks a significant milestone that highlights Dan’s technical expertise, commitment to excellence, and dedication to continuous improvement. His newly accredited skills further enhance Hollygate Fabrications’ ability to deliver high-quality, compliant fabrications to EN 1090, and EN ISO 3834 standards.

Well done, Dan, an outstanding achievement, and a tremendous asset to the team!

Innovation in precision engineering starts with the right tools and the right people

A big thank you to Tom Skubula and Chris Thomas from MTDCNC for visiting Stoneswood Precision Components (SPC) recently to showcase their work with OPEN MIND’s hyperMILL CAD/CAM software.

Fantastic job by SPC’s Charles Day, Chris Lannigan and Tom Whitbread in front of the camera too!
hyperMILL is a key part of operations at SPC, driving capacity, flexibility and production efficiency. We’re proud this will be featured as one of OPEN MIND’s case studies.

Victoria Production Engineering awarded Silver SC21

We’re pleased to announce that Victoria Production Engineering has been awarded the ADS SC21 Silver Award for Operational Excellence.

This recognition reflects the team's sustained commitment to high performance, continuous improvement and adherence to rigorous operational standards and we extend our sincere appreciation to our colleagues at Leonardo for their sponsorship and ongoing support throughout this process.

With this latest achievement, the Hyde Aero Products division now holds a total of eight SC21 awards, including five at the Silver level, underscoring our consistent pursuit of excellence within the aerospace and defence supply chain.

The SC21 programme, administered by ADS, represents the UK’s leading initiative for supply chain improvement in the aerospace and defence sectors. Endorsed by major industry stakeholders, it sets a demanding benchmark, one that our teams continue to meet with distinction.

Hyde Group celebrates Typhoon order with Prime Minister at BAE Systems

Anthony Hammond, Joint MD of Hyde Aero Products and Ishraq Ahmed, engineering apprentice at Hollygate Aircraft Components, had the honour of meeting the Prime Minister, Sir Kier Starmer, during his visit to BAE Systems to celebrate the Republic of Türkiye’s order of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

They were warmly welcomed by Dr Charles Woodburn, Peter Brindle, Simon Barnes and Dave Holmes from BAE Systems, who recognised Hyde’s contributions to the Typhoon, F-35 and Tempest programmes and described us as one of the most critical suppliers. That recognition means a lot to our teams across the Hyde Group.

Sir Charles kindly arranged a conversation with the Prime Minister, where they discussed Hyde’s growing role across key defence programmes, our investment in AI for manufacturing and our long-standing commitment to apprenticeships. Ishraq shared his journey as an aspiring aerospace engineer, which clearly left a strong impression on the Prime Minister.

Moments like these reaffirm the importance of nurturing talent and embracing innovation. We’re excited about what lies ahead.

L to R: The Rt Hon Sir Kier Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Dr Charles Woodburn (Group CEO, BAE Systems), Ishraq Ahmed (Engineering Apprentice, Hollygate Aircraft Components), Anthony Hammond (Divisional Joint Managing Director, Hyde Aero Products).

Hyde Group recognised as Apprenticeship Ambassador at Train Tameside 500 launch

Charlotte Yates from Hyde Group HR proudly represented Hyde Group at the official launch of Train Tameside 500. This exciting initiative, led by Tameside College in collaboration with Tameside Council, aims to recruit 500 new apprentices over the next two years to meet growing skills demands across key sectors in the region, including construction, engineering, automotive, and health and social care.

Charlotte receiving Hyde Group’s ‘Train Tameside 500 Ambassador’ certificate from Jonathan Reynolds MP for Stalybridge and Hyde.

Hyde Group was honoured to be named one of five Train Tameside 500 Ambassadors, recognised for our ongoing commitment to apprenticeships, training and skills across Tameside. With 67 apprentices currently studying, 51 of whom are enrolled at Tameside College, we’re proud to play a leading role in equipping young people with the skills, experience and qualifications they need to succeed.

We believe apprenticeships are a vital investment in our community, our industry and our future workforce. We’re dedicated to creating opportunities that empower individuals and strengthen the local economy. By investing in apprenticeships, we help individuals build rewarding careers while strengthening our workforce with the skills needed for the future. If you’re interested in future apprenticeship opportunities with Hyde Group, please contact our HR department at careers@hydegroup.com.

A huge thank you to Tameside College and Tameside Council for their continued support and for championing the value of apprenticeship programmes.

Hyde Group welcomes Jonathan Reynolds MP for a deep dive into AI-driven manufacturing

A proud moment for Hyde Group on Friday 24th October as we welcomed Jonathan Reynolds MP and our digital skills training partners from IN4 Group for an inspiring deep dive into our AI journey.

From showcasing our Digital Dashboard and SCMT best practices to conversations about the future of AI in UK manufacturing, the session was packed with insight, innovation and ambition.

This visit marks another milestone in our commitment to digital transformation and inclusive innovation, not just for Hyde Group, but for the wider community we serve.

And the timing couldn’t be more relevant. According to the 2025 Roland Berger survey of nearly 130 aerospace supply chain leaders across the UK, Germany, and France, almost two-thirds of companies already use or plan to use AI and other innovative software tools. Yet, adoption remains limited, typically under 10% of business processes, due to challenges like lack of expertise, system integration and data security concerns.

At Hyde Group, we’re tackling these barriers head-on. By investing in digital skills, partnering with forward-thinking organisations and embedding AI into our operations, we’re helping shape a smarter, more resilient future for UK manufacturing.

Exciting times ahead as we continue to lead on AI and digitalisation with purpose, innovation and collaboration.

Driving defence collaboration: Hyde Group’s continued commitment to the NWRDSC

At Hyde Group, we believe the future of engineering is driven by innovation and strengthened through collaboration. That’s why we’re proud to support the North West Regional Defence & Security Cluster (NWRDSC).

The NWRDSC is a powerful initiative positioning the North West as a centre of excellence in defence and security. By working closely with regional partners, the cluster is attracting investment, fostering innovation and unlocking new opportunities for growth across the sector.

Chris Wiles, Business Development Manager at Hyde Aero Products division, has been seconded to the cluster and dedicates one day a week to supporting its development, contributing to member engagement, strategic planning and event coordination.

Recently, Chris has played a key role in the cluster’s public engagements, speaking at a regional event in Burnley and chairing a panel discussion during the NWRDSC’s first anniversary celebration in Liverpool. His involvement is helping to strengthen collaboration across the regional supply chain and the broader defence ecosystem.

As a founding member of the cluster, Hyde Aero Products division is also represented on the steering board by its Joint Managing Director, Anthony Hammond, who plays an active role in shaping its strategic direction.

It’s Gold for Hyde Aero Products at the ADS Toulouse Annual event

Hyde Aero Products was proud to be a gold sponsor of the ADS Toulouse 2025 Annual Event on the 16th October in France.

This prestigious gathering brought together senior leaders, innovators and decision-makers from across the Franco-British aerospace, defence and security sectors. It was an evening dedicated to strengthening cross-border collaboration, celebrating industry achievements and forging new partnerships that will shape the future of European aerospace.

Hyde Group Limited joins the Midlands Aerospace Alliance

We’re proud to announce that Hyde Group Limited is now officially a member of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA), one of the world’s largest and most influential aerospace clusters.

The MAA is a powerful advocate for both the aerospace industry and the Midlands region, championing innovation, collaboration and global competitiveness.

We’re especially excited to deepen our support for Midlands-based customers and to contribute to the Alliance’s mission of driving competitiveness and innovation across the Midlands aerospace supply chain

Double SC21 Silver celebration at Hyde Aero Products division

We’re incredibly proud to announce that Hyde Coatings and Stoneswood Precision Components have both been awarded the prestigious ADS SC21 Silver Operational Excellence award, with Hyde Coatings achieving Silver following their Bronze in 2021, and Stoneswood earning Silver for the second consecutive year!

These awards are a testament to the dedication, expertise, and continuous improvement embraced by both teams. Their commitment to sustainable business practices and client satisfaction reflects the high standards we uphold across the Hyde Aero Products division.

A huge thank you to our colleagues at Leonardo for their sponsorship and support throughout this journey. With these latest recognitions, our division now proudly holds eight SC21 awards, including four at the Silver level, a clear reflection of our unwavering pursuit of excellence.

The SC21 programme, managed by ADS, is the UK aerospace and defence sector’s largest supply chain improvement initiative, endorsed by all major industry players. It sets a high bar, and our teams continue to rise to the challenge.

Park Engineering hosts visit by Secretary of State for Business & Trade

Hyde Group was pleased to welcome the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, and his team to our Park Engineering facility in Stalybridge. During the visit, he met our talented team and toured the site to learn more about our operations.

Mike Fisher, Sales Director at Park Engineering, and Paul Cox, Sales & Marketing Director at Hyde Group, hosted the Secretary, providing insights into the work carried out at Park Engineering, the challenges we face, and introducing him to apprentices and team members across the business.

With over 600 employees across the group and a proud legacy of supporting UK industry through advanced manufacturing, long-term careers, and robust apprenticeship programmes, we appreciated the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion around the government’s Industrial Strategy and its impact on businesses like ours.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the visit a success, and to the Secretary and his team for taking the time to connect with us.

Strengthening the aerospace supply chain with Aero Excellence International

'Aero Excellence International' is a new initiative uniting leading European aerospace companies to tackle future challenges and enhance competitiveness in operational excellence, environmental sustainability and cybersecurity.

Congratulations to the newly elected board committee members: Pierre Perdoux, Jörg Schuler, Hugo Torres, and Anthony Hammond, Divisional Managing Director at Hyde Aero Products Limited.

We’re excited to see the impact of this collaboration in shaping a stronger, more agile supply chain.

Hyde Group receives recognition at the Greater Manchester Skills Awards 2025

We’re proud to announce that we were recently recognised at the Greater Manchester Skills Awards 2025, where we received a Highly Commended honour in the Large Employer Award category.

Although we didn’t take home the top prize, being shortlisted and acknowledged among the region’s leading employers is a significant achievement. This commendation reflects the hard work, innovation, and dedication of our entire team, and reinforces our ongoing commitment to skills development and excellence in the workplace.

We extend our sincere thanks to the event organisers, the judging panel, and to Tameside College for nominating us. Congratulations to all the winners and fellow nominees who continue to raise the bar across Greater Manchester’s skills and education sector.

Double win for MPE apprentice Grace Pearson - a rising star in engineering

Huge congratulations to Grace Pearson, an apprentice at Manchester Precision Engineering Ltd, who has won not one, but two awards at the recent Tameside College ‘Student of the Year’ ceremony!

Grace was named ‘Engineering Student of the Year’ and went on to receive the top honour of overall ‘Student of the Year’, a truly outstanding achievement. We’re all very proud of her!

Held at Dukinfield Town Hall, the annual awards celebrate students for their dedication to learning and commitment to excellence. Winners are selected by a panel of judges from nominations submitted by teachers and staff.

As one of the largest private employers in East Manchester, this recognition reflects the Hyde Group’s strong commitment to nurturing talent at every level of the business. We take great pride in our long-standing investment in apprenticeships (like the one Grace is undertaking), work placements, and continuous professional development, all of which are central to the culture of learning we’ve built.

Hyde Group joins the NWRDSC

We’re excited to share that the Hyde Group Limited and Hyde Aero products divisions are now proud members of the North West Regional Defence & Security Cluster (NWRDSC).
As a founding member, Hyde Aero Products’ Joint Managing Director, Anthony Hammond, sits on the cluster’s steering board, playing an active role in supporting and shaping its strategic direction.

The NWRDSC presents an exciting opportunity to position the North West as a hub of excellence in defence and security. By collaborating with regional partners, the cluster is driving investment, encouraging innovation, and opening up new avenues for growth across the sector.

We look forward to working alongside fellow members to strengthen the regional ecosystem, share insights, and create long-term opportunities for success within the North West and beyond.

VPE wins second SC21 Bronze award

A fantastic day at Rolls-Royce Derby recently for the ADS NATEP Meet the Buyer event, with Steve Ackley accepting on behalf of the business, VPE’s second SC21 Bronze award for Manufacturing Excellence and Business Excellence. Great work by everyone involved!
SC21 is the largest supply chain improvement programme in the UK aerospace and defence sector and reflects the exacting requirements of clients operating within that environment.
Special thanks to VPE’s colleagues at Leonardo for their continued support as their sponsor in this.
Shown in the photo, left to right, are Steve Collins, Head of SC21 and Steve Ackley, VPE Business Development Director.