'After 30 years, it’s an exciting next step': Northern Ireland aerospace specialist acquired in latest deal by UK engineering group
Datum Design, whose customers include Airbus and Boeing, has been bought by London-based Corvero in its third acquisition this year, securing a foothold in Northern Ireland's aerospace sector
London precision engineering and manufacturing business Corvero has acquired a Northern Ireland-based aerospace specialist, whose partners include Airbus, Boeing and GKN.
Datum Design was founded 30 years ago by Michael Maguire and John Getty. The company designs, builds and tests bespoke aerospace tooling, including jigs, fixtures, moulds and handling systems, in both metal and composite materials.
The deal marks Corvero’s third acquisition this year, following the purchases of C&F Millier, a Bristol-based manufacturer of high-precision components, and BIE Magnum, a Bristol-based specialist in surface treatments and finishes.
The acquisition also establishes Corvero in Northern Ireland, one of the world's most prominent aerospace clusters.
Datum supports customers through design-only, build-to-print and design-and-build services. Its composite tooling expertise ranges from simple fairings to complex primary structures, including integrally stiffened wings and fuselage sections.
It also extends to advanced moulding technologies such as Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM), Resin Transfer Infusion (RTI) and SQRTM.
The company works with major aerospace and defence manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing, GKN and Thales, with many customer relationships stretching back more than 30 years.
Its work includes the Airbus A350 composite tooling programme and contributions to the Airbus A220 (formerly C-Series) programme.
Datum has grown significantly over the past two years and has invested in its next stage of development, including a new Large Tooling Capability (LATCAP3).
The facility features a 22-metre, five-axis machine co-funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), which is now the largest aerospace tooling machine in the UK.
Located close to Datum’s core customers around Belfast, LATCAP3 provides additional capacity for large-scale tooling, helping to overcome the logistical challenges of transporting oversized equipment.
The investment is significant for both civil aerospace and defence programmes, where sovereign manufacturing capability is becoming an increasing priority.
Datum said its skilled workforce was central to its success, with many employees having built long-standing careers with the business.
The acquisition gives Corvero an established base in Northern Ireland and introduces the group earlier into the aerospace contract manufacturing process through Datum’s relationships with customers at the design stage.
It also supports Corvero’s ambition to provide end-to-end integration across the value chain for global aerospace and defence original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers.
Tom Senior, corporate development director at Corvero, said: "Each of our acquisitions this year has brought something distinct to Corvero – C&F Millier’s precision machining heritage, BIE Magnum’s surface treatment and finishing expertise, and now Datum’s tooling design and engineering. Together, they make us a stronger, more complete partner for our customers.
"Datum also gives us a real presence in Northern Ireland, and relationships with customers’ design teams, providing opportunities to support them at the very earliest stage of their programmes. Michael and John have built a business with genuine engineering depth and excellent customer relationships that have lasted decades, and we’re delighted to welcome the whole Datum team to the group."
Michael Maguire, managing director at Datum, said: "Datum has always been built around its people. Our engineers bring years of experience and a real understanding of aerospace tooling, and that’s what our customers rely on.
"Joining Corvero gives us the backing to invest in our team and our technology, and to grow our partnerships with OEM and Tier 1 aerospace manufacturers, while keeping the flexible, collaborative way of working our customers' value.
"After 30 years, it’s an exciting next step for Datum, and we’re looking forward to what we can achieve together as part of the group."