US milestone for Velocity

This will be on a programme-byprogramme basis leading to the phased transfer of all kits to Velocity supply, with the final programme scheduled to be completed within this financial year and the full rate of production starting either at or before the next financial year.

In the future, the site will become a launch hub for other customer contracts, and high-level business development activities are already underway with several potential large customers.

Jon Bridges, Chief Executive of Velocity Composites, said: "This is a major milestone for Velocity Composites as we expand into North America. The whole Velocity team, both in the US and UK, have worked incredibly hard to deliver a fully operational site, a well-trained team, and a plan ready to start delivering flying products to our launch customer.

“The site can move forward into production ramp-up with continued support from the UK team and close collaboration with our customer to ensure a smooth transfer of the entire project.

“For myself and the Velocity team, the customer and industry approvals of this new showcase facility is further endorsement that our business model, processes and technology are world class in our industry, and our targeted business development activities are further enhanced by having a capable advanced manufacturing site in North America with significant capacity to grow."

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An engineering business started for little more than £60 in its founder’s garden shed in 1973 has grown into a multimillion-pound concern with world-leading clients supplying pioneering technology into global markets.

Founded in Cambridge, Shearline Precision Engineering is now based in Ely but the reach of its input is not only worldwide but extends to outer space!

The company’s parts can be found in world-leading inkjet products for Cambridge and other players, innovative medical devices and beauty advancements, F1 motor racing and globally renowned car marques, electric vehicles, electronics, defence, aerospace and nuclear markets.

Shearline subsidiary SXL is currently quoting a multi-millionpound package of work for the defence industry – many parts for which will be manufactured from magnesium.

One of its ventures is already out of this world. Two freshly engineered Raspberry Pi computers launched for the International Space Station boasted Shearline-made super corrosion resistant cases.

Shooting for the stars wasn’t foremost in founder David Littlechild’s thoughts when he borrowed £60 from his dad and scraped together some savings to launch the fledgling business from the summerhouse at the bottom of his parents’ garden in Cambridge.

Dyslexic and with no