Ford Aerospace acquired by Spirol

Spirol has announced that Ford Aerospace based in South Shields, UK, will be joining the Spirol group of companies.

Ford Aerospace was founded at Tyne Dock in 1910 by Robert Ford, and the family business has most recently been led by the founder’s great-grandson, Chris Ford. The company specialises in manufacturing high precision metal components and sub-assemblies for the aerospace, industrial, and high-technology sectors. It’s been a leading supplier over its 113 year history dating back almost as far as the first recorded flight in 1903 by the Wright Brothers.

Spirol has a rich history also closely tied to aviation development. Founded in 1948 by Herman Koehl, the grandfather of the current chief executive officer, Jeff Koehl, Spirol has grown from a single manufacturing facility in the United States to a global enterprise with manufacturing or distribution locations on four continents and twelve countries across North America, South America, Europe and Asia. 

With a legacy spanning 75 years as an expert in fastening, joining and assembly, Spirol’s well-established global footprint will take the UK based Ford Aerospace’s products to a wider international market. In addition, one of Spirol’s core principles is to continuously reinvest back into the business to ensure long-term, enhanced success and better serve its customers. This principle is also firmly held by Ford Aerospace and therefore the synergies in markets, products, history and approach to providing value to its customers ties Spirol and Ford closely together.

Speaking about the sale, Chris Ford said: “Ford Aerospace is, and always has been, here for the people, especially our dedicated and skilled team, and it was important that any new Ford Aerospace owner share the values that have been at the heart of the company for over 100 years.

“Our two companies have a long history of working together, dating back to 1980 where Spirol licenced a specialised manufacturing process from Ford Aerospace, which is still in use today. Spirol respects Ford’s strong position in the UK market and our product manufacturing knowledge. Spirol and Ford’s approach to employees and customers align wonderfully, and I am excited to see our strong business carry on as part of the successful Spirol group.”

Ken Hagan, a division president at Spirol said: “Spirol is an engineering, manufacturing and sales driven company, and as such we seek to grow and expand in our product space. Where appropriate, this includes acquiring and holding exceptional companies which fit well with our overall business, global strategy and culture of excellence.

“We are excited to have Ford Aerospace join Spirol and to be able to offer a more complete solution to our customers in Europe and beyond. We anticipate running Ford as a standalone business unit within the Spirol group of companies. By combining the capabilities of both companies, our objective is to enhance our value-added offering to our customers both in technical expertise and products.”

Spirol Industries Ltd

17 Princewood Road
Corby
NN17 4ET
UNITED KINGDOM

+44 (0)1536 444800

info-uk@spirol.com

www.spirol.com

More news
22 hours ago
TR Fastenings to exhibit at the Automechanika Show
The highly anticipated automotive trade show Automechanika Birmingham returns to the NEC for the first time since 2019 and TR Fastenings (TR), part of the Trifast group of companies, is delighted to be participating again.
1 day ago
Spelsberg UK announces nationwide roadshow and open day
Spelsberg UK is excited to announce its “Spelsberg on the Road” roadshow. A state-of-the-art tour bus, equipped with a working showroom, will visit numerous locations across the country beginning late May.
1 week ago
Essentra exceeds sustainability targets and launches new customer-led strategy
Essentra Components reports that it has exceeded its 2025 Scope 1 and 2 emissions targets and is reshaping its sustainability strategy to focus on helping customers achieve their sustainability goals.
3 weeks ago
TFC opens new south Wales facility
To support manufacturers in south Wales and the south west and ensure their C-Class components are in the right place, at the right time, leading vendor managed inventory (VMI) provider TFC is launching a south Wales service centre.
3 weeks ago
Lesjöfors innovates performance suspension springs for the Polestar 2
Collaborating with Polestar, the electric performance car company, Lesjöfors has designed and developed the pioneering suspension springs on the Polestar 2 BST edition 270 – the limited-edition performance car created to push the boundaries of electric performance.
3 weeks ago
MBO Osswald customer portal offers individual benefits
MBO Osswald has further extended its customer portal, combining its production know-how, industry experience, top quality and service with customer-specific information and enriched by customer requirements, delivering enhanced transparency and freedom of action designed to boost value added.
3 weeks ago
Contract manufacturer sets new standards for turned parts
The foremost aim of MBO Osswald is to reduce the process- and method-related obstacles and delays in the production of turned parts, which are often needed within very short timeframes. So it is striking out in a new direction by offering express manufacturing for drawing parts.
3 weeks ago
TFC acquires EAP Seals to strengthen VMI portfolio
TFC has added to its portfolio of services and products with the acquisition of EAP Seals. This move strengthens TFC’s position as a leading provider of vendor managed inventory (VMI) solutions and technical engineering products.
4 weeks ago
Ford Aerospace acquired by Spirol
Spirol has announced that Ford Aerospace based in South Shields, UK, will be joining the Spirol group of companies.
1 month ago
Now open for visitor registration – MachineBuilding.Live
The UK’s only event staged exclusively for machine builders, systems integrators and OEMs keen to automate is now open for visitor registration.

Login / Sign up