HR Smith Group Announces £6M Expansion at Herefordshire’s Skylon Park
A new £6 million advanced manufacturing facility is set to open at Herefordshire’s Skylon Park, creating up to 50 jobs as part of a major expansion by the HR Smith Group. The development is the latest move by the Kingsland-based firm, which specialises in search and rescue equipment, antennas, and beacons for the aerospace industry.
The HR Smith Group subsidiary, TechTest Ltd, will occupy the new 31,000 sq ft centre on the Skylon Park site within the Hereford Enterprise Zone. Construction firm Collins Design and Build has been appointed to develop the centre on a 1.64-acre site, marking the third expansion by HR Smith Group at Rotherwas and taking its total investment in the zone to £11 million.
Phil Collins, from Collins Design and Build, expressed pride in the project, which will feature “Northlight Ridge” architecture, a style characterised by steep glazed apex panels designed to allow ample natural light into the building. “This is the 45th building we’ve constructed or refurbished at Rotherwas. It’s a project that harks back to traditional designs and reflects our long history in the region,” he said. Founded as an agricultural machinery business in 1967, Collins Design and Build has grown into a prominent steel-frame construction company since 1973.
The upcoming centre will enhance TechTest’s production capabilities, adding machine shops and an advanced components facility. The site will also house a small apprentice school, supporting skills development in advanced manufacturing. TechTest’s expertise lies in aerospace technology, with products including distress beacons designed to help pilots and crew signal emergency assistance.
HR Smith Group has a substantial footprint in Herefordshire, where it has operated for over 45 years, employing 328 people locally. In addition to its headquarters in Kingsland and its Rotherwas facilities, the group maintains a sales and distribution office in Tennessee, USA.
This expansion builds on two previous projects at Skylon Park. The first, a 20,000 sq ft unit completed in 2013/14, focused on mechanical and electrical aircraft communications research. The second added an additional 20,000 sq ft, supporting the company’s growing need for testing and certification space.
Herefordshire Council has expressed optimism about the latest development. Councillor Graham Biggs, Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said, “HR Smith Group’s investment highlights Skylon Park’s growing reputation as a hub for high-tech industries. We are seeing a robust ecosystem develop in aerospace and defence industries, which is creating higher-skilled, better-paid jobs for local people.”
HR Smith Group’s latest expansion signals a broader trend of growth in Herefordshire’s high-tech sector, as the county seeks to attract and retain talent within the aerospace and defence industries. With its investment, HR Smith Group adds to a legacy of innovation, aiming to foster economic growth and job creation in Herefordshire.
As the new centre is set to open, the company’s ongoing development underscores the potential for Herefordshire to establish itself as a regional leader in advanced manufacturing and technology. This investment further strengthens the local economy, underlining the commitment of HR Smith Group to the region and to supporting the future of aerospace innovation.
