Three friends who met through their shared passion for cars have built a growing Swindon engineering business producing specialist components for Formula 1 teams.
Will Casey, Ryan King and James Lewington founded Billet Precision just over two years ago, having first met around a decade earlier.
The company, based at South Marston Industrial Estate, provides precision machining services for industries including motorsport, automotive engineering, nuclear energy, medical technology and scientific research.
All three directors began their engineering careers as apprentices before gaining the experience needed to establish their own business.
The friends had discussed launching a company together for several years before deciding they were ready to take the plunge.
Will Casey, Director of Billet Precision, said:
“Starting our own business was something we’d talked about for years. We all reached a similar point in our careers at the same time and decided to make it a reality.
“The first year was always going to be challenging, but we’ve gone from strength to strength. We love what we do, and we’re prepared to put in the hard work needed to keep growing and delivering for our customers.”
The entrepreneurs initially expected to travel further afield to secure contracts but discovered significant demand for their services in Swindon and the surrounding area.
Will explained:
“Being based in Swindon has been a huge advantage. We originally thought we’d need to look much further afield for customers, but the majority of the businesses we work with are within an hour’s drive. It’s a great location and there are far more opportunities here than we first realised.”
The business is now investing in additional machinery and expanding its operations to meet growing demand.
Its directors are also hoping to give other young people opportunities to enter the engineering industry.
Billet Precision already works with local colleges to offer work experience placements and hopes to recruit apprentices as the company expands.
Will added:
“As the business continues to grow, we’d love to take on apprentices.
“All three of us came through that route ourselves and we know how effective it can be. Apprenticeships help create some of the best engineers in the industry and we want to play our part in developing the next generation.”
The company’s progress was recently highlighted during a visit by Swindon Borough Council Leader, Councillor Gary Sumner, and the authority’s Head of Inward Investment, Andrew Wells.
The pair toured the South Marston premises to learn more about the business and its plans for further growth.
Councillor Gary Sumner said:
“It was a pleasure to visit Billet Precision and hear first-hand how three talented young engineers have turned their skills, determination and entrepreneurial spirit into a successful business.
“Companies like Billet Precision demonstrate the strength of Swindon’s manufacturing and engineering sector. It is impressive to see a young business producing specialist components for Formula 1 teams and other highly-skilled industries while creating opportunities for local people.
“Their commitment to innovation, skills development and apprenticeships is exactly the kind of ambition we want to encourage as we continue to grow Swindon’s economy.
“It is particularly encouraging to see successful businesses being created by people who began their careers as apprentices and are now looking to offer those same opportunities to others.”
Billet Precision is continuing to develop its customer base while increasing its manufacturing capacity to support future expansion.
