Agri-Tech
Gloucestershire proudly houses the UK's largest network of agri-tech SMEs and features two agriculturally focused universities, making the county the first choice for prominent agri-tech businesses.
Advanced Manufacturing
Invention, innovation and ingenuity – that’s what our advanced manufacturing businesses are known for. With some of the world’s leading companies already making their home here, Gloucestershire is a hotbed of talent and productivity.
A significant cluster of engineering and manufacturing businesses can already be found within the region, developing essential component parts for a diverse range of products and purposes. As a result, Gloucestershire’s research and development expenditure figures sit above UK’s targets, making our county the perfect breeding ground for new ideas and concepts.
Gloucestershire’s portfolio in terms of advanced engineering solutions is unlimited and internationally acclaimed, supporting sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, hydraulic pumps, precision measurement and disruptive materials. With world-leading corporate groups and an ample network of subsidiary SMEs headquartered in the county, we offer an unparalleled opportunity to do business in the region, whatever the size or place in the supply chain of your company.
To download a copy of our Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing proposition, click here.
Focus on innovation
Gloucestershire’s dedication to innovation is well recognised, both nationally and internationally. Companies located within our region are proudly awarded, year in year out, the most prestigious national awards for innovation. And a huge proportion - nearly three out of four - of our businesses have been classed as ‘innovation active’, with such companies representing 25% more of the business landscape in our county than the national average.
From the invention of the humble lawnmower in 1830 to the innovations taking place today, we’ve got a strong reputation for patent filing – 2,618 patents were filed up to July 2018.
Pioneering industries
Over the last 60 years, we’ve created a welcoming environment for companies in all kinds of manufacturing sectors, but particularly in aerospace, precision engineering and advanced materials.
In aerospace, we’re proud to have world-leaders like GE Aviation, Moog and Safran as long-term residents in the region, producing key components for defence, commercial and aviation purposes that are used throughout the world.
We’re also pleased to have numerous homegrown precision engineering firms such as Spirax-Sarco, Severn Glocon Group and Renishaw headquartered in Gloucestershire.
And, with advanced materials specialists like Versarien undertaking world-renowned research and development in graphene and sintered tungsten carbide, we’re making an impact on a global stage.
Unrivalled connectivity
Digitally, Gloucestershire is extremely well-connected, with a superfast fibre network that covers more than 90% of the county.
In terms of physical infrastructure, it’s easy to move goods and materials by road, rail, water or air.
Quick and easy transportation by road is achieved by our excellent connections to the UK’s primary road network via the M4 and M5 motorways. Direct trains conveniently connect the county’s busiest towns and capital with London and other major cities like Birmingham, Bristol or Cardiff.
Gloucestershire Airport is the UK’s busiest general aviation airport and an excellent testing facility for disruptive developments in the aerospace industry, with other commercial airports less than an hour away. And, at less than 20 miles away from our county limits, Bristol Port provides access to the most population percentage within 250 km for any UK port.
Sectors
At Gloucestershire’s heart is a bourgeoning business community, comprising world-leading organisations, thriving start-ups and SMEs, skilled people and local authorities with the right outlook and commitment to help you succeed.