What Brown & Holmes does

Brown & Holmes is a UK-based precision engineering group founded in 1939 and headquartered in Tamworth, Staffordshire, operating through a holding entity (Brown & Holmes (Tamworth) Holdings Limited) and four wholly-owned subsidiaries: Brown & Holmes (Tamworth) Ltd (core workholding and machining), Total Filtration Systems Ltd (TFS, distributing RBM IFDR coolant filtration and MistBuster air filtration), Manufacturing Productivity Solutions (MPS, exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Jergens Inc. workholding), and Brown & Holmes (Derby) Ltd (electrical control cabinets and remote stopping systems for surface and subsurface naval platforms). Across two Tamworth facilities totalling 36,000 ft² and the Derby defence site, the group employs approximately 70 people and operates 3-, 4- and 5-axis CNC machining centres, Stratasys Fortus 450mc/F170 additive manufacturing, hydraulic and robotic workholding design, and the Made4CNC Safedoor SD100 automated machine-door system.

The group's revenue model combines bespoke engineering services (one-off workholding design, manufacture and installation; subcontract CNC and precision machining), recurring maintenance and tooling support (planned maintenance programmes, 24-hour reaction service, rapid breakdown), and product sales (MistBuster range of oil/smoke/mist extractors; IFDR coolant filtration; Made4CNC Safedoor; distributed Jergens, SwishChuck, Atling steady rests, CoBots and Coolant Saver). Pricing is quotation-based; no public pricing exists. The customer base spans aerospace, defence, automotive, power generation, nuclear and construction, with named logos including Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, Boeing, BMW, Toyota, Siemens, Pratt & Whitney, MB Aerospace, JLR, Bentley, Nissan, JCB and a Singapore-based jet engine turbine manufacturer.

Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales supported by three named account contacts (Mick Waller for workholding, Jamie Barton for TFS products, Mark Hyde for MPS), supplemented by event-driven demand generation at UK manufacturing exhibitions (notably SubCon at NEC Birmingham) and by exclusive regional distribution agreements with Jergens Inc. and RBM. The group holds rare regulatory accreditations (ITAR, AS9100D, JOSCAR, ISO 9001/14001/45001, Cyber Essentials Plus) that function as gatekeepers for US defence and Tier 1 aerospace supply chains.

Name

Brown & Holmes

Legal name

Brown & Holmes (Tamworth) Ltd

Website

https://brownandholmes.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

UK precision engineering group founded in 1939 providing bespoke workholding fixtures, 3/4/5-axis CNC machining, and defence electrical control cabinets to aerospace, defence, automotive, nuclear and power-generation customers, operating via four subsidiaries across two Tamworth sites and a Derby facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Engineering and Contract Manufacturing

NAICS

Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (3335), Machine Shops (33271)

SIC

Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dust Collection & Air Filtration Equipment (Industrial) (IMAHALAF), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

Keywords

• Precision engineering
• CNC machining services
• Workholding fixtures
• Subcontract manufacturing
• Aerospace machining

Headquarters

HQ city

Tamworth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bespoke Workholding Design & Manufacturing: Custom design and manufacture of workholding fixtures, hydraulic clamping solutions, and production aids for aerospace, automotive, defence, nuclear, and power generation sectors. Includes ongoing tooling support, installation, and maintenance services.
2. Subcontract CNC Machining: Precision subcontract machining services from prototype to batch production. Services include 3, 4, and 5-axis CNC machining, mill-turn, and specialist materials processing.
3. MistBuster Products: Smoke and mist extraction systems for CNC machine tools. Range includes MistBuster 500, 850, 2000, and Infinity models with varying airflow capacities (500-1000 CFM).
4. Made4CNC Products: Automated door opening systems (Safedoor SD100) for CNC machine tending applications. Available in various stroke lengths (750mm, 1000mm, 1300mm) for single and double door configurations.
5. IFDR Filtration Systems: Coolant filtration systems distributed through Total Filtration Systems subsidiary. No filter maintenance required, reduces coolant replacement costs.
6. Jergens Workholding Products: Exclusive UK and Ireland distribution of Jergens Inc. workholding solutions including lifting solutions, interchangeable fixtures, and specialty fasteners through Manufacturing Productivity Solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Brown & Holmes is a precision engineering company that designs and manufactures bespoke workholding fixtures and provides subcontract CNC machining services (3, 4, and 5-axis) for complex metal parts serving aerospace, automotive, defence, nuclear, and power generation sectors. The company also produces its own product lines including the MistBuster air filtration range and distributes the Made4CNC Safedoor automated door system, plus electrical control cabinets for naval defence platforms through its Derby facility.

Product overview

Brown & Holmes operates as a precision engineering and manufacturing company offering a portfolio of proprietary products and distributed third-party solutions. Their core product lines include the MistBuster range of mist and smoke extraction systems (500, 850, 850 Compact, 2000, Infinity, 500 Media) for CNC machine tool environments, and the Made4CNC Safedoor automated door opener system for CNC machines. The company also designs and manufactures bespoke workholding fixtures and provides CNC machining services (3, 4, and 5-axis), precision machining, and subcontract machining capabilities. Through their subsidiaries, they offer IFDR coolant filtration systems, 3D printing services using Stratasys equipment, and electrical control cabinets for defence applications. Additional distributed products include CoBots, SwishChuck precision workholding, Atling steady rests, and Coolant Saver. The company operates across four divisions under Brown & Holmes (Tamworth) Holdings: Brown & Holmes (Tamworth) Ltd, Total Filtration Systems Ltd (TFS), Brown & Holmes (Derby) Ltd, and Manufacturing Productivity Solutions (MPS).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Made4CNC: Auto machine tool door openers and closers, including Safedoor SD100 system.
• MistBuster

Products and services

• Workholding Fixtures Bespoke milling, drilling, and welding fixtures including hydraulic workholding fixtures and automated robotic loading systems designed for automotive, aerospace, power generation, and construction industries.
• CNC Machining Services Precision CNC machining services including 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis machining centres for complex metal parts, with capabilities spanning prototyping, batch production, and tight tolerance work for aerospace, automotive, defence, nuclear, and power generation sectors.
• Precision Machining Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 96-98% compliance improvement from 68%
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Made in the MidlandsminorOthers · 8 January 2025Rejoined largest manufacturing group in the Midlands region for networking, knowledge sharing, and operational best practice with fellow manufacturing leaders.
• MAKE UK / MAKE UK DEFENCEminorOthers · 1 January 2025Membership providing access to latest industry insights, expert support, supply networks, and specialist defence sector expertise with government-level voice.
• Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA)minorOthers · 3 June 2024Membership in premier aerospace industry body demonstrating commitment to aerospace engineering and innovation in UK.
• NAMRC (Nuclear AMRC)minorOthers · 1 March 2023Membership in Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, providing access to industry knowledge and collaborative opportunities in nuclear manufacturing sector.
• LB Foster EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2022Collaboration on Rolls Royce Submarines project leading to Recognition & Appreciation award. Partnership contributed to successful supply of complex components.
• Made4CNCcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 May 2022Partnership with Danish company Made4CNC to bring Safedoor SD100 automated door systems to UK market. Product serves as missing piece for machine tending applications, integrating with Brown & Holmes workholding, CoBots, and automation capabilities. Enables semi-standard automation solutions for existing machine tools.
• Jergens Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturing Productivity Solutions (MPS) is exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Jergens Inc. workholding solutions including interchangeables, lifting solutions, and specialty fasteners.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cincinnati Incorporated: US machine tool and metalworking equipment manufacturer. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the metalworking machinery category that supplies equipment to the same types of precision engineering and aerospace manufacturing customers as Brown & Holmes.
• Sandvik Coromant: Global leader in metal cutting tools and machining solutions, owned by Sandvik AB. Comparable as a much larger incumbent serving the same aerospace and automotive precision machining customers with adjacent tooling and workholding offerings.
• Renishaw plc: UK-headquartered precision engineering and metrology group supplying measurement, probing, and additive manufacturing systems to aerospace, medical, and power generation customers. Comparable due to overlapping UK precision-engineering customer base and exposure to AS9100D-tier programmes.
• Schunk GmbH & Co. KG: German global market leader in workholding, clamping, and gripping systems for CNC machine tools. Comparable as a directly competing workholding technology vendor with broader product breadth, serving the same aerospace and automotive OEMs as Brown & Holmes.
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Global metrology, CNC simulation, and precision manufacturing intelligence provider. Comparable in that it addresses precision-engineering productivity at the same Tier 1 aerospace/automotive customers that Brown & Holmes serves, albeit with software and measurement rather than physical fixtures.

Direct peers

• Jergens Inc. US-based manufacturer of workholding fixtures, lifting solutions, and specialty fasteners. Directly comparable as the underlying product brand that Brown & Holmes' Manufacturing Productivity Solutions subsidiary exclusively distributes in the UK and Ireland.
• Lang Technik GmbH: German specialist in precision workholding, hydraulic and zero-point clamping systems for 3, 4 and 5-axis machining. Highly comparable as a niche workholding competitor targeting the same aerospace/automotive Tier 1 customer profile as Brown & Holmes.
• PTG Precision Engineering (Holroyd Precision): UK precision subcontract machining and precision component manufacturer with deep aerospace and industrial exposure. Comparable in scale, customer type, and bespoke CNC machining capabilities to Brown & Holmes' subcontract machining business.
• Allmatic-Jakob (Sauter Feinmechanik): German precision workholding and zero-point clamping specialist supplying aerospace and automotive manufacturers. Comparable as a directly competing niche workholding vendor with similar focus on hydraulic, automated, and robotic workholding solutions.
• Dawson Shanahan (Wrexham): Welsh precision component manufacturer specialising in cold-formed and machined parts for aerospace, medical, and automotive Tier 1 customers. Comparable due to similar UK-based precision engineering scale, regulated-sector customer base, and bespoke manufacturing model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/brownandholmes

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Brown & Holmes