Defence wiring firm Westwire expands with new Swindon site

Westwire Harnessing has opened a second UK manufacturing facility in Swindon, expanding production capacity and creating around 80 new jobs.

Westwire, which specialises in electrical wiring interconnect systems (EWIS) and electronic integrated systems (EIS), said the new site will triple its production capacity and expand its footprint from 10,000 to more than 21,000 square feet. The company said it designs and manufactures mission-critical electrical systems used across military aircraft, drones, land platforms and other defence-related applications.

Managing Director Andy Russell said the expansion marked a major step for the business.

“Today marks an important milestone for Westwire,” he said. “The opening of our new Swindon facility significantly enhances our manufacturing capability and underlines our commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions that support our armed forces. We are proud to create around 80 new skilled jobs in Swindon, providing opportunities for skilled talent in a sector that is vital to the local area.”

Westwire has nearly 40 years of experience in defence and aerospace supply, having been established in 1987. The company also stated that since 2021 it has seen rapid growth, with revenue increasing almost fourfold.

According to Westwire, the new Swindon facility positions the company to double output again over the next three years as demand increases across the defence market. The company said its harnesses are hand-built and designed to meet demanding operational and environmental requirements, including use in harsh military environments and low-smoke, zero-halogen applications.

Westwire is owned by SASMOS HET Technologies, which acquired the company in 2021. The acquisition represents SASMOS’ first investment outside India and has supported the UK operation through technology transfer and additional capabilities such as fibre optics, photonics and power management.

Local MP Will Stone welcomed the development, saying “Westwire is an important part of Swindon’s industrial fabric. The creation of 80 high-quality jobs is fantastic news for our community and reflects the town’s growing role in advanced manufacturing and the UK defence sector,” he said.