The High-Tech Side of the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is usually linked with quaint villages and pastoral views, but the surrounding area of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire is also home to a sophisticated electronics and engineering cluster. Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud and Wotton-under-Edge host companies that design and manufacture world-leading products for aerospace, healthcare, defence, industry and consumer markets.
Good transport links via the M5 and M4, access to skilled graduates from nearby universities and a high quality of life that attracts talented engineers have helped the cluster grow. Below are ten of the most respected electronics manufacturers serving and operating close to the Cotswolds.
1. Renishaw
Headquartered at Wotton-under-Edge on the south-western edge of the Cotswolds, Renishaw is a global leader in precision measurement, motion control, spectroscopy and additive manufacturing. Its probes, encoders and laser calibration systems are used in factories around the world. Renishaw's continued investment in research and development and its large local workforce make it one of the region's most important technology employers.
2. Spirax Group
Based in Cheltenham, Spirax Group is a world leader in steam systems, electric thermal solutions and peristaltic pumps. Its electric thermal solutions division designs advanced heating and control electronics used in semiconductors, energy and process industries. The company's engineering excellence has made it a FTSE-listed success story with deep Gloucestershire roots.
3. Safran Electrical and Power
Operating from sites near Cheltenham, Safran's electrical and power business designs and manufactures aircraft power generation and distribution systems. Its engineers develop electronics that are critical to the safety and efficiency of commercial and military aircraft, carrying on the region's long aerospace heritage.
4. Kohler Mira
Kohler Mira, based in Cheltenham, is one of the UK's best-known shower manufacturers. Its digital and electric showers rely on sophisticated electronic controls, thermostatic technology and smart connectivity. The company designs and builds many products locally and supports skilled manufacturing jobs in the area.
5. Ultra PCS
Ultra PCS, based in Cheltenham, specialises in electronic control and data systems for aerospace and defence, including weapons release systems and landing gear controls. Its high-reliability electronics are designed to operate in extreme conditions, showing the depth of engineering capability in the region.
6. Dowty Propellers
Located in Gloucestershire, Dowty Propellers designs and manufactures advanced composite propeller systems with integrated electronic control and de-icing systems. Its products fly on aircraft worldwide, and its long history makes it a cornerstone of the local aerospace supply chain.
7. Delphi Technologies (BorgWarner) Stonehouse
The Stonehouse site near Stroud has long been a centre of fuel injection and electronic engine control expertise. Now part of BorgWarner, the facility develops technology for efficient powertrains, including electronic control units and precision injection systems.
8. Moog
Moog operates engineering and manufacturing sites in the wider region, producing precision motion control systems, actuators and electronic controllers for aerospace, industrial and medical applications. Its reputation for high-performance electronics makes it a valued part of the local supply chain.
9. Contract Electronics Manufacturers of Gloucestershire
A number of specialist contract electronics manufacturers operate across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, offering PCB assembly, cable harnesses, box builds and testing for start-ups and established brands. These businesses are vital for local innovators who need small to medium production runs with quick turnaround and close engineering support.
10. Intelligent Energy and Emerging Clean-Tech Firms
The Cotswolds area and its neighbouring counties are seeing growth in clean-tech electronics firms, from battery management system designers to fuel cell developers. These companies combine power electronics, software and materials science to support the shift to cleaner energy and transport.
Industry Trends and Opportunities
Electronics manufacturing around the Cotswolds is shaped by several strong trends. Aerospace and defence remain major drivers, with demand for more electric aircraft creating opportunities in power electronics and control systems. Precision manufacturing and industrial automation are also growing, supported by global demand for metrology, robotics and smart factory technology.
Cyber and digital innovation is another important theme thanks to the nearby Cheltenham cyber cluster, which encourages collaboration between hardware makers and software security specialists. Sustainability is also pushing firms to design energy-efficient products and adopt cleaner production methods.
Skills and Talent
Many of these companies run apprenticeship and graduate schemes in partnership with local colleges and universities. This investment in skills helps keep a steady pipeline of engineers, technicians and software developers. For young people in towns like Cirencester and Tetbury, the regional electronics sector offers rewarding, well-paid career paths without needing to move to a major city.
How to Choose an Electronics Manufacturing Partner
If you are sourcing electronics manufacturing services, look at quality accreditations such as ISO 9001 and AS9100 for aerospace work. Assess design-for-manufacture support, testing capabilities, supply chain resilience and the ability to scale production. Being close to your engineering team can be a major advantage when prototyping and iterating.
Conclusion
Behind the Cotswolds' picturesque image sits a world-class electronics and engineering community. From Renishaw's precision measurement systems to aerospace electronics in Cheltenham, the companies listed here show the region's capacity for innovation and the strong opportunities it offers businesses, engineers and investors.
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