A major new investment is underway at Skylon Park, with the HR Smith Group set to develop a £6 million advanced manufacturing centre for its subsidiary, TechTest Ltd. The 31,000 sq ft facility, located on a 1.64‑acre site at the Herefordshire Enterprise Zone, will support the company’s continued growth and strengthen the region’s reputation as a hub for high‑tech aerospace and defence industries.
This latest development marks the HR Smith Group’s third expansion at Rotherwas, bringing its total investment at the Enterprise Zone to £11 million. The new building will significantly increase TechTest’s capacity to design and manufacture specialist search and rescue technologies, including the emergency distress beacons and antennas used worldwide by pilots, aircrew, and rescue authorities.
The new centre will include advanced machine shops, an apprentice training school, and an expanded components facility, supporting innovation and skills development within the company’s 328‑strong workforce. Its design, featuring a modern interpretation of early 20th‑century “Northlight Ridge” architecture, will incorporate steep, glazed panels to maximise natural light across the manufacturing spaces.
HR Smith Group has been a major employer in Herefordshire for more than 45 years, with existing operations at Rotherwas, its headquarters in Kingsland, and a sales and distribution office in Rockford, Tennessee, USA. The company’s sustained investment in Skylon Park reflects its long-term commitment to the area and to developing advanced aerospace technologies within the county.
This £6 million expansion follows two earlier phases of development at Skylon Park. The first, completed in 2013/14, delivered a 20,000 sq ft research and development unit focused on mechanical and electrical aircraft communications and data. A further 20,000 sq ft extension then enhanced the company’s testing and certification capabilities, supporting continued growth in global aerospace markets.
Councillor Graham Biggs, Cabinet Member Economy and Growth, Herefordshire Council added: “This latest investment highlights the attractiveness of Skylon Park as a hub for high-tech industries. We’ve a strong and growing ecosystem for aerospace and defence industries in Herefordshire, creating higher skilled better paid jobs for the county and local people.”
As the HR Smith Group expands again, the project represents a significant boost for Herefordshire’s economy and reinforces the region’s growing role in the aerospace and defence sectors.
