Caerphilly-based Cottam & Brookes Engineering is helping keep Wales’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors moving through high-precision engineering and specialist tooling. With support from the Welsh Government’s Innovation team, the company has modernised key processes, improved productivity and unlocked new commercial opportunities, strengthening its role as an important regional supplier while supporting skilled employment in the local area.
The family-owned business produces complex precision components and assembly tools for customers with demanding technical requirements, including major aerospace manufacturers. Its highly skilled workforce enables it to work with specialist metals and alloys and deliver bespoke solutions worldwide.
Following the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has returned to profitability, with turnover rising to more than £2.5 million in 2025.
In October 2025, the company received support through the Welsh Government’s SMART Digital and Productivity Accelerator Service (SDPA), which provided a comprehensive diagnostic review of its operations and identified opportunities to introduce digital solutions and streamline manual processes. The review highlighted inefficiencies in paper-based measurement and quality control systems that were slowing production and increasing risk of errors.
Carys Edmunds, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Cottam & Brookes Engineering, said: “Having an external expert review our processes through the SDPA was incredibly valuable. When you’re immersed in day-to-day operations, it’s easy to overlook where improvements could be made.
“The diagnostic didn’t just focus on one area, it looked at the business as a whole and highlighted practical steps we could take to work more efficiently.”
The business also secured a £15,000 grant through the Business Productivity Enhancement Programme (BPEP), a Welsh Government scheme that supports businesses to invest in equipment and improvements that boost productivity.
Over the following months, Welsh Government support allowed the company to:
- Replace paper-based inspection processes with digital measurement systems.
- Introduce portable technology that checks components in real time on the factory floor.
- Deliver significantly higher accuracy, improving quality and reducing waste.
- Reduce downtime by removing the need to move parts to a separate inspection area.
Carys added: “The new system has transformed how we inspect components. It’s much faster and more precise. And because measurements can be taken directly on the shop floor, it avoids unnecessary disruption to production. That means we can respond more quickly to customer requirements, while maintaining high standards.
“We’re already seeing the potential for new contracts and additional revenue streams. For a business rooted in the local community, that growth translates directly into skilled jobs, stronger supply chains and long-term stability.”
The impact of the company’s innovation has delivered positive results:
- Inspection processes are now faster and more efficient, improving productivity.
- Real-time data capture strengthens quality assurance and traceability.
- The equipment can be used on-site or off-site, opening new business opportunities.
- New contracts are expected to increase turnover by around £400,000.
The company’s work supports the Welsh Government’s Innovation Strategy priorities by strengthening a key regional supply chain and improving environmental performance.Streamlined digital processes reduce paper use and energy consumption, while significant local subcontracting supports economic activity across south Wales.
As an established supplier to major aerospace companies, the business plays an important role in sustaining advanced manufacturing capability in Wales.
Find out more about how the SMART Digital and Productivity Accelerator Service (SDPA) can support your organisation. Visit Business Wales Innovation to learn more.