What Bignall Group does

Bignall Group Limited is a family-owned UK precision engineering and manufacturing company founded in 1976 and headquartered in Shildon, County Durham. It operates through four wholly-owned divisions: Shildon Manufacturing Company (SMC) for CNC machining, Cobtec Cubicle Hardware for commercial hardware, Masterlube Lubrication Systems for lubrication delivery, and Reverse Alarm for audible warning systems. The group's technology base comprises 6 CNC turning machines (up to 550mm diameter and 1350mm length), 8 CNC milling machines (up to 1524 x 660 x 610mm bed including a 5-axis Tornos Swiss sliding head), 2 injection moulding machines, high-resolution 3D printing, SolidWorks CAD/CAM design, reverse engineering, Faro Arm CMM measurement, and MIG/TIG fabrication. The group holds multiple patents across its proprietary product lines and is ISO 9001:2008 accredited.

The company's revenue model is hardware-led across three streams: precision contract manufacturing (CNC turning, milling, injection moulding) for low-to-medium volumes (single figures to approximately 30,000 parts per year), proprietary product sales through its four divisions, and engineering/design services (concept development, CAD/CAM, reverse engineering, project management). Pricing is quote-based rather than list-based. GTM is direct sales-led, targeting Tier Two supplier relationships in automotive, energy, petrochemicals, construction, agriculture, rail, medical, and general manufacturing, with exports to over 20 countries. The company is debt-free, operates from a 30,000 sqft facility with 620 solar panels and biomass heating, and is positioned as a flexible, responsive Tier Two supplier aiming to become the UK's number one in that tier.

Name

Bignall Group

Legal name

Bignall Group Limited

Website

https://bignallgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bignall Group is a family-owned UK precision engineering and manufacturing company operating four divisions (CNC machining, cubicle hardware, lubrication systems, audible alarms) that serves automotive, energy, rail, medical, and industrial customers across 20+ countries via contract manufacturing and proprietary products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Engineering and Contract Manufacturing

NAICS

Machine Shops (33271), Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517), Precision Turned Product Manufacturing (332721), Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (3335)

SIC

Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Screw Machine Products (3451)

akta.pro primary industry

CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers) (IMAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metal 3D Printing Service Bureaus (SLM/DMLS, EBM, Binder Jetting) (IMAAADAB), Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC), Prototype Jigs, Fixtures & Assembly Aids (Additive) (IMAAAFAE)

Keywords

• Precision engineering services
• CNC machining services
• Contract manufacturing
• Injection moulding
• CAD CAM design

Headquarters

HQ city

Shildon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Precision Manufacturing Services: CNC turning, CNC milling, injection moulding, and related manufacturing services. Orders range from single figures to approximately 30,000 parts per year. Revenue is generated through one-time manufacturing contracts based on specifications and volumes.
2. Product Sales (Group Divisions): Sales of proprietary products through four divisions: Shildon Manufacturing Company (precision engineering), Cobtec Cubicle Hardware (commercial hardware), Masterlube Lubrication Systems (lubrication delivery systems), and ReverseAlarm (audible warning systems).
3. Engineering and Design Services: Concept development, CAD CAM design service, reverse engineering, technical assembly, and project management services. These professional services complement manufacturing operations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Bignall Group operates as a precision engineering and manufacturing company providing CNC turning, CNC milling, injection moulding, 3D printing, CAD CAM design, reverse engineering, and bespoke fabrication services through its four divisions: Shildon Manufacturing Company (SMC), Cobtec Cubicle Hardware, Masterlube Lubrication Systems, and ReverseAlarm. The group supports customers from concept development through to full-scale manufacture, assembly, and delivery, handling order volumes from single figures to approximately 30,000 parts per year.

Product overview

Bignall Group is a UK-based precision engineering and manufacturing group operating as four distinct divisions: Shildon Manufacturing Company (SMC) for precision CNC machining and engineering, Cobtec Cubicle Hardware for commercial hardware, Masterlube Lubrication Systems for precision lubrication delivery, and Reverse Alarm for audible systems. The group offers comprehensive manufacturing services including CNC turning, CNC milling, injection moulding, 3D printing, reverse engineering, light fabrication, and technical assembly. They combine concept development, CAD CAM design, prototyping, and full-scale production under one roof, serving sectors including Automotive, Energy, Construction, Agriculture, Rail, Medical, and Manufacturing across 20+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SMC - Shildon Manufacturing Company: Precision engineering, design and machining division serving Automotive, Oil and Gas, Food, Energy, Petrochemical, Medical sectors
• Cobtec
• Masterlube
• Reverse Alarm

Products and services

• Shildon Manufacturing Company (SMC) Precision engineering, design, and CNC machining division serving Automotive, Oil and Gas, Food, Energy, Petrochemical, and Medical sectors. Offers CNC turning (up to 550mm diameter, 1350mm length) and CNC milling (up to 1524 x 660 x 610mm bed).
• Cobtec Cubicle Hardware Commercial hardware manufacturing division serving Construction, Architecture, and Building Maintenance sectors. Goal to become the number one cubicle hardware supplier in the UK based on customer service and quality.
• Masterlube Lubrication Systems Precision lubrication delivery systems division serving Agriculture, Rail, Off Highway Equipment, Shipping, and Mining sectors. Offers push-in fittings and anti-seize solutions.
• ReverseAlarm Process/Automotive/Off Highway audible warning systems division serving Agriculture, Rail, Off Highway, Manufacturing, and Automotive sectors.
• CNC Turning Services Precision CNC turning with 6 machines up to 550mm diameter and 1350mm length. Includes CMZ TC 35Y-1350 Turning/Milling Machine, Haas ST30 with Bar Feed, Haas SL20, Haas TL1, and Doosan Lynx 220 machines.
• CNC Milling Services CNC milling with 8 machines up to 1524 x 660 x 610mm machining bed, including a 20mm 5-Axis Tornos Swiss Sliding Head and 4 sq. mtr. routing system, plus heavy saw cutters.
• Injection Moulding Services Injection moulding services using 2x 90T Sandretto injection moulding machines for precision plastic component manufacturing.
• 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping High resolution 3D printing facility and full R&D prototype service from initial concept to full production.
• Reverse Engineering Services Manufacture and development of long-lost components, combined with Faro Arm measurement capability for accurate data collection.
• Light Fabrication and Assembly MIG/TIG welding facility with powder coat and painting capabilities, plus technical assembly services for scaling up production.
• CMM and Faro Arm Measurement ISO 9001:2008 material inspection and analysis using CMM and Faro Quantum measuring arm for precise component measurements.
• CAD CAM Design Service Full design service incorporating SolidWorks CAD and CNC CAM software for concept development through to production.
• Bespoke Racking Systems Custom-made industrial storage and racking systems designed and built to client specification, featuring roll-out shelves with overhead crane access.

Quantifiable outcome

• Exports to 20 different countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered supportive and minor.

• Business DurhamsupportiveStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Business Durham provided support in helping Bignall Group achieve their investment plans. Supported the addition of two new Haas machines to the Shildon Manufacturing (SMC) business.
• UMi (Union of Managers and Investors)supportiveStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019UMi provided support in helping Bignall Group achieve their investment plans for new equipment at their manufacturing facility.
• UTC South DurhamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBignall Group supports UTC South Durham as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, engaging with schools to support STEM education.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AESSEAL: Larger UK-based precision engineering manufacturer of mechanical seals and related engineered products. Overlaps with Bignall on CNC machining of precision components for industrial customers, but operates at significantly greater scale.
• Renishaw: UK-based precision engineering and metrology group (CMM, probing, additive manufacturing). Comparable on precision measurement (Faro Arm equivalent) and metal 3D printing capabilities, but at substantially larger scale and public-company scale.
• Sandvik Coromant: Global leader in metal cutting tools and machining solutions. Adjacent to Bignall's CNC machining focus — its tooling sits inside Bignall's CNC machines — and serves overlapping automotive, aerospace and industrial customers at far greater scale.
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Global precision measurement and manufacturing technology provider. Comparable on CMM/Faro-style metrology capability relevant to Bignall's inspection services, but operates as a large software/hardware portfolio rather than a contract manufacturer.
• Kennametal: Global metalworking solutions provider covering tooling, inserts and engineered components. Comparable on the metalworking/machining value chain serving industrial and automotive end-markets, but as a much larger public company.

Others

• Bodycote: Global provider of heat treatment and metal joining services to manufacturing customers. Adjacent to Bignall as a complementary manufacturing services provider serving overlapping automotive and industrial OEM customers.

Direct peers

• Dawson Shanahan: UK-based precision turned products manufacturer serving automotive, medical, hydraulics and industrial markets. Highly comparable to Bignall's Shildon Manufacturing Company division in terms of customer mix, precision machining focus and mid-market size.
• Paragon Toolmaking: UK precision engineering and toolmaking firm offering CNC machining and contract manufacturing to similar industrial customers. Comparable in scale, geography (UK) and full-service precision engineering offering.
• Holroyd Precision: UK precision engineering specialist in screw rotors, milling and turning, serving industrial and energy markets. Comparable in precision machining capabilities, UK base and Tier Two supplier positioning.

Regional players

• Aeromet International: UK-based aerospace precision casting and machining supplier serving aerospace and defence OEMs. Comparable on UK precision machining for regulated, high-spec end markets (aerospace, defence), though focused specifically on castings rather than the broader CNC mix Bignall offers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/9298887
• Xx.com/BignallGroup

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bignall Group