iCOMAT, a British company specialising in advanced composite components, is establishing operations in the town after talks with Swindon North MP Will Stone and Swindon Borough Council’s inward investment team.
The firm produces specialist carbon fibre parts engineered to be lighter and stronger than traditional materials.
Its components are used across aerospace, automotive and defence industries, including in aircraft, satellites, vehicles and autonomous platforms such as drones.
Founded in 2019 as a spin out from the University of Bristol, the company has spent six years refining its manufacturing process.
It recently opened a new 45,000 sq ft production site known as Factory One.
The business has also secured a £5 million grant from the UK Space Agency to support the development of composite materials for the UK space sector.
Mr Stone said he visited the company’s headquarters in Gloucestershire last year and was impressed by what he saw.
“I was blown away by the level of technology when I visited iCOMAT,” he said.
“It is no secret that I want Swindon to become the UK’s hub for drone manufacturing. Building strong supply chains around that industry is essential.
“iCOMAT has a huge role to play in Swindon’s future and I’m proud that, working with the council’s inward investment team, we have brought such a fantastic company to the town. It will create good, skilled jobs for local people.”
Stuart Donovan-Holmes, iCOMAT’s Head of Defence, said Swindon’s existing engineering base made it an attractive location.
“Swindon has quickly become a centre for companies developing the next generation of autonomous defence systems,” he said.
“We want to be close to innovative engineering businesses and help them move from prototype to production.
“Will Stone’s visit last year was a catalyst. His ambition to position Swindon as a hub for advanced defence manufacturing, along with support from the council, gave us confidence to expand here.”
Council leader Jim Robins said the expansion underlined Swindon’s strengthening position in the sector.
“I am delighted that iCOMAT is expanding into Swindon,” he said.
“It highlights how the town is growing in the defence sector and supports our ambition to create good, skilled jobs for residents.”
