As global defence budgets rise in response to geopolitical instability and evolving national security priorities, aerospace supply chains are under intensifying pressure to deliver efficiency, traceability, and resilience at scale. Velocity Composites plc, headquartered in Burnley, UK, is responding decisively—reinforcing its role as a critical partner to some of the world’s largest defence and aerospace manufacturers.
“OEMs today are looking for dependable partners who can help them reduce cost, complexity, and risk,” explains Jon Bridges, CEO of Velocity Composites. “Our material kitting model addresses exactly that. By tightly managing our customers’ composite supply chain from raw material to ready-to-use kit, we provide them with precision, repeatability, and cost-efficiency.”
Velocity’s advanced kitting technology is particularly well suited to the needs of modern defence programmes, where high-performance composite structures are key to reducing weight, enhancing fuel efficiency, and withstanding extreme operational conditions. The company recently secured a three-year renewal with a major global defence OEM—an agreement that extends a relationship spanning over a decade. The renewed contract supports the production of both 4th and 5th generation fighter aircraft, where Velocity’s engineered vacuum bag and structural material kits are used to streamline composite lay-up processes in highly controlled manufacturing environments.
“Our customers recognise the value we bring not just through material savings but through digital traceability, on-site support, and continuous improvement,” says Bridges. “That’s where we distinguish ourselves—by embedding teams directly into our customers’ facilities and building long-term relationships based on trust and delivery.” This hands-on, partnership-driven approach is a key differentiator, according to James Eastbury, Chief Customer Officer at Velocity Composites;
“We’re a solutions partner. We take the time to understand our customers’ production flow and integrate seamlessly into their operations,” says Eastbury. “Whether it’s reducing waste, accelerating cycle times, or enhancing supply chain transparency, our goal is to be indispensable and the early signs from our conversations this year with new customers are really encouraging.”
While proudly rooted in the UK’s aerospace heritage, Velocity is also expanding its international presence. Its Tallassee, Alabama facility, which achieved Nadcap accreditation in its first year, now supports major US aerospace and defence programmes, proving that Velocity’s operational model can be effectively deployed on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We’ve demonstrated that our model scales across continents,” adds Bridges. “That scalability is critical as we continue to engage with new defence programmes in the US and
Europe.”
As production ramps up in response to escalating demand, Velocity’s combination of engineering excellence, digital traceability, and global reach makes it a compelling proposition for both OEMs and investors. With a focus on long-term value creation, Velocity is not just keeping pace with the defence industry—it is actively shaping its future. “We’re aligned with the direction of travel,” concludes Eastbury. “More digital, more efficient, more collaborative. That’s what defence manufacturing needs—and it’s what we deliver.”
