R.E.Thompson
R E Thompson & Co. (Vacuum) Ltd is a UK-based precision engineering company providing 5-axis CNC machining, design, assembly, and quality inspection services to aerospace, defence, automotive, and electronics OEMs from its Whitchurch HQ and Andover manufacturing facility.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1948
- HeadquartersWhitchurch, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What R.E.Thompson does
R E Thompson & Co. (Vacuum) Ltd is a Hampshire, UK-headquartered precision engineering company founded in 1948 that provides complex 5-axis CNC machining, design, assembly, quality inspection, and laser marking services to aerospace, defence, automotive, motorsport, electronics, semiconductor-equipment and medical-device OEMs. The company operates from two sites — Whitchurch (HQ) and Andover (state-of-the-art manufacturing) — and runs a 24/7 lights-out automated production environment built around a Fastems Flexible Manufacturing System with 500+ pallets, a GROB G750T 5-axis mill-turn centre, an Okuma MULTUS U4000 multitasking machine, four MORI-SEIKI NMV3000-DCG 5-axis cells, and supporting hyperMILL CAM, CribWise tooling inventory, and MT-LINKi operations software. Tolerances are published down to ±0.002mm, with work envelope up to 650mm diameter × 1,500mm length and table loads up to 1,200kg.
R.E.Thompson firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- R.E.Thompson
- Legal name
- R E Thompson & Co. (Vacuum) Ltd
- Website
- https://rethompson.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1948
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- R E Thompson & Co. (Vacuum) Ltd is a UK-based precision engineering company providing 5-axis CNC machining, design, assembly, and quality inspection services to aerospace, defence, automotive, and electronics OEMs from its Whitchurch HQ and Andover manufacturing facility.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where R.E.Thompson is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Whitchurch
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
R.E.Thompson business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Precision CNC Machining Services: Project-based precision manufacturing services including CNC turning, milling, 5-axis machining, gear manufacturing, and large component machining. Revenue is generated on a per-project, per-component basis with no minimum volume requirements due to automation capabilities. Customers include aerospace, defence, automotive, and electronics industries requiring complex, tight-tolerance components.
- End-to-End Manufacturing Solutions: Comprehensive services spanning design, manufacturing, assembly, quality inspection, and post-processes (finishing, laser marking). Integrated single-source solutions generate revenue through combined service packages from initial concept through to finished delivery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom project-based pricing for precision engineering services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
R.E.Thompson product offering
Product offeringCore offering
R E Thompson is a precision engineering services company providing contract manufacturing solutions to aerospace, defence, automotive, and electronics OEMs. The company delivers end-to-end capabilities spanning CNC machining (5-axis, gear cutting, large components up to 650mm x 1500mm to tolerances of ±0.002mm), design, in-house assembly (electromechanical, electron beam welding), quality inspection, laser marking, and materials supply, supported by 24/7 lights-out automated manufacturing with 500+ pallets.
Product overview
R.E. Thompson is a precision engineering company offering a comprehensive suite of manufacturing services as a single-source solution provider. The core offering includes CNC Machining (5-axis capabilities, gear manufacturing, rapid services, and large component machining up to 650mm x 1500mm), Design services, Assembly (including electromechanical assembly and electron beam welding), Quality & Inspection, Post Processes, Materials supply, and Laser Marking. The company operates with 24/7 lights-out automated manufacturing using advanced pallet systems, enabling end-to-end solutions from design through to finished components for aerospace, defence, automotive, and electronics industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CNC Machining Precision 5-axis CNC machining services including low to high volume manufacturing, gear manufacturing, rapid services, and large component machining (up to 65cm x 150cm). Serves aerospace, defence, automotive, and electronics customers requiring tight tolerances and complex geometries.
- Design Manufacturing engineering design services to design components for efficient manufacturing, working with skilled manufacturing engineers for design optimisation.
Quantifiable outcome
- No repeat set-up charges as tools stay set between batches
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use R.E.Thompson
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
R.E.Thompson technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
R.E.Thompson partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- FastemscoreFastems supplied the Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) — a pallet-based automation system for machining centres. R E Thompson operates Fastems FMS running on MMS 8 (manufacturing management software), providing 24/7 lights-out automation across multiple machining centres with over 500 pallets.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
R.E.Thompson competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- GKN Aerospace: Global Tier 1 aerospace components manufacturer with major UK operations producing aerostructures and engine systems. Operates upstream and alongside R E Thompson in the same aerospace supply chain with overlapping customer base; far broader scope than R E Thompson's focused precision machining services.
- Precision Castparts Corp: US-headquartered (now part of Berkshire Hathaway) precision castings and machined components manufacturer for aerospace and industrial markets. Operates at vastly greater scale with broader capabilities, but serves the same end-markets and competes indirectly for Tier 1 aerospace machining work.
- Senior plc: UK-listed diversified aerospace and industrial components manufacturer with operations in fluid conveyance and structural precision components. Broader portfolio and larger scale than R E Thompson, but operates in the same precision-engineering aerospace supply chain with overlapping customer base.
- Meggitt (Parker Hannifin): UK-headquartered aerospace components specialist (acquired by Parker Hannifin) serving commercial and defence aerospace with precision engineered products. Comparable in serving the same Tier 1 aerospace customers and holding AS9100, but at significantly greater scale and product breadth.
Direct peers
- Nasmyth Group: UK-based precision aerospace machining and assembly services provider serving major OEMs. Directly comparable in customer base (civil and defence aerospace), technology scope (multi-axis CNC, complex assemblies), and end-market focus. Closest scale-and-scope match to R E Thompson.
- ASCO Aerospace: UK aerospace component manufacturer and supply-chain provider (now part of Lufthansa Technik / Pattonair). Directly comparable as a precision aerospace parts manufacturer supplying OEM and MRO customers in the UK and Europe with similar certification and quality requirements.
- Doncasters Group: UK precision components manufacturer serving aerospace, defence, and industrial markets with casting, forging, and precision machining. Comparable in serving Tier 1 aerospace OEMs with tight-tolerance, complex components and holding relevant AS9100/quality certifications.
- Wallwork Group: UK precision heat treatment, vacuum brazing, and surface treatment provider serving aerospace, defence, and motorsport. Comparable in customer base (aerospace primes, motorsport) and in providing complementary process services in the precision manufacturing supply chain.
Others
- Bodycote plc: UK-listed provider of heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services serving aerospace, defence, and automotive. Not a direct competitor but an adjacent process-services provider that is often co-sourced alongside precision machining customers (e.g., GE Aviation, BAE Systems).
- Carpenter Technology Corporation: US specialty alloys and engineered components manufacturer supplying aerospace, defence, and medical markets. Not a direct competitor but a materials/process provider commonly paired with precision machining services in the same aerospace supply chain as R E Thompson.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
R.E.Thompson social profiles
Digital presenceR.E.Thompson compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
R.E.Thompson financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
R.E.Thompson leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
R.E.Thompson funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
R.E.Thompson M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about R.E.Thompson
What does R.E.Thompson do?
R E Thompson is a precision engineering services company providing contract manufacturing solutions to aerospace, defence, automotive, and electronics OEMs. The company delivers end-to-end capabilities spanning CNC machining (5-axis, gear cutting, large components up to 650mm x 1500mm to tolerances of ±0.002mm), design, in-house assembly (electromechanical, electron beam welding), quality inspection, laser marking, and materials supply, supported by 24/7 lights-out automated manufacturing with 500+ pallets.
Is R.E.Thompson a public or private company?
R.E.Thompson is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was R.E.Thompson founded?
R.E.Thompson was founded in 1948. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is R.E.Thompson based?
R.E.Thompson is headquartered in Whitchurch, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does R.E.Thompson make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Precision CNC Machining Services are the primary driver. The others are end-to-End Manufacturing Solutions.
Who are R.E.Thompson's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are GKN Aerospace, Precision Castparts Corp, Senior plc and Meggitt (Parker Hannifin). Direct peers are Nasmyth Group, ASCO Aerospace, Doncasters Group and Wallwork Group. Others are Bodycote plc and Carpenter Technology Corporation.
Does R.E.Thompson have an API?
No public API is recorded for R.E.Thompson.