Protective packaging for high-value equipment is rarely a matter of selecting a case and adjusting the internal fit. For Barum & Dewar, the process begins much earlier, with a detailed understanding of the equipment, the environment it will move through and the practical requirements of the people responsible for handling it. The brief is not treated as a narrow set of dimensions, but as the start of an engineering process that considers protection, usability, transport, storage, deployment and long-term value.

This early stage is important because many of the products B&D protects are not straightforward to package. They may be sensitive to shock or vibration, awkward to lift, unusually shaped, high in value or critical to the customer’s wider operation. In defence, space, aerospace, offshore and industrial environments, packaging has to perform in real conditions, often across multiple handling points and modes of transport. B&D’s partnership approach is based on understanding transportation, handling and user requirements before developing the most appropriate solution, drawing on both in-house design capability and established supply partnerships.

Once the requirement is understood, the design process moves into more detailed technical definition. Where CAD data is available, it can be used to help model the equipment and create a virtual representation of the proposed solution. This allows the team to assess how the payload will sit within the case or container, where support points are needed, how internal components should be arranged and whether there are any issues around access, clearance, loading or removal. It also gives the customer a clearer view of the proposed solution before manufacture begins, reducing uncertainty and allowing feedback to be incorporated at the right stage.

For sensitive equipment, the engineering considerations may go further. B&D has access to shock analysis software that can help calculate suitable protection against shock and vibration inputs, including the use of wire shock mounts or calculated foam thicknesses depending on the nature of the payload and the selected drop height. These calculations help define how the packaging system should perform, rather than relying on assumption or generic protection levels.

The design then becomes the basis for manufacture. Any machined part, from foam to spacecraft interface plates are CNC machined from the B&D approved and controlled data, allowing verification at part and assembly level as the project progresses. This connection between brief, design and manufacture is central to B&D’s approach. The aim is not simply to make packaging that fits around a product, but to develop a solution that protects it, supports safe and practical use, and gives the customer confidence that the equipment can be moved, stored and deployed as intended. From a simple foam insert to a large fabricated container, the same principle applies: the strongest solutions are built from a clear understanding of the challenge.

Over the past few weeks, we have taken time as a team to reflect on the loss of David and the enormous impact he had on Barum & Dewar and on the people around him.

David was immensely proud of this business. He cared deeply about the work we delivered, the relationships we built and the reputation Barum & Dewar earned over many years. He believed strongly in doing things properly, supporting customers when it mattered and building a business founded on trust, integrity and respect.

For those of us fortunate enough to work alongside him, David was far more than a Managing Director. He was a mentor, a sounding board, a leader and above all, an incredibly kind and supportive person.

Many of the conversations we have shared as a team since his passing have centred not only on what David achieved professionally, but on the way he made people feel. He always made time for others. He encouraged people to back themselves, to show courage, to be fearless and to approach situations with honesty and kindness.

David led by example. He worked tirelessly for the business and for the people within it, always holding himself to the highest standards. His positivity, calmness and generosity left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Across the team and from former colleagues, there is a huge sense of gratitude for the opportunity to have worked with David and learned from him. We know many of our customers, suppliers and industry contacts will feel the same. He built strong and lasting relationships throughout his career and was respected not only for his knowledge and leadership, but for being genuine, personable and dependable.

While the past weeks have been incredibly difficult, they have also reinforced just how much David meant to this business and to the people within it. The values he championed continue to shape Barum & Dewar every day and remain deeply embedded within the team he helped build.

We remain incredibly proud to have worked alongside him and grateful for everything he gave to the business and to all of us personally.

Our thoughts continue to be with David’s family and friends.

Barum & Dewar has successfully completed the design and manufacture of 62 bespoke protective transit cases for one of the most exceptional whisky releases ever created, The Glenlivet Eternal Collection, Second Edition, 56-Year-Old, continuing a long-standing working relationship with Chivas Brothers.

The project comprised one case for the unique 1-of-1 release, unveiled in partnership with Sotheby's, alongside a further 60 cases produced to support the secure shipping and global distribution of the wider Eternal Collection release.

This commission builds on Barum & Dewar’s previous work with Chivas Brothers, reflecting an established level of trust when it comes to protecting irreplaceable, ultra-high-value spirits. Each case was engineered to meet exacting requirements around protection, handling and discretion, ensuring the whisky remains fully safeguarded throughout transport and storage.

With bottles of this rarity and value, there is no tolerance for risk. Barum & Dewar’s team applied its specialist knowledge in bespoke case design and precision-engineered interiors to deliver a solution that prioritises absolute security, while remaining appropriate for a luxury, limited-edition release.

The finished cases provide robust, repeatable protection for international logistics, giving complete confidence that every bottle, from the one-of-a-kind auction release to the wider collection, arrives in pristine condition.

This latest delivery further strengthens Barum & Dewar’s reputation as a trusted partner to leading premium brands, supporting the protection of some of the world’s most valuable spirits, as they are transported globally, through carefully engineered, bespoke packaging solutions.

https://www.chivasbrothers.com/2025/11/chivas-brothers-unveils-the-glenlivet-eternal-collection-second-edition-56-year-old-1-of-1-a-one-of-a-kind-auction-release-in-partnership-with-sothebys/

Barum & Dewar is pleased to confirm the successful fulfilment of a recent contract with ProVerum Medical, delivering a bespoke protective packaging solution for specialist medical instrumentation.

The project focused on the design and manufacture of a custom case solution for a portable medical tablet, used as part of ProVerum Medical’s Pro-Vee VPU system. Given the sensitive nature of the equipment and its application within a regulated medical environment, the solution was required to provide robust protection while remaining practical for regular transport and use.

Following discussions to fully understand the client’s requirements, Barum & Dewar supplied a rugged Explorer case, complete with a custom CNC-routed foam insert. The insert was precision engineered to securely locate the tablet and associated components, ensuring a high level of protection against impact while maintaining ease of access for the user.

An initial batch of 10 units was manufactured and delivered. The finished solution has received very positive feedback from the client for the quality of fit, overall finish, and suitability for portable medical use.

This successfully completed project demonstrates Barum & Dewar’s ability to deliver tailored protective packaging solutions for the medical sector, combining technical design expertise with a clear focus on understanding and meeting customer requirements.

Barum & Dewar recently attended the annual Southern Manufacturing & Electronics exhibition at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre in Farnborough.

The event was exceptionally well attended, with a busy and energetic atmosphere throughout the morning. As one of the UK’s leading manufacturing and engineering showcases, Southern Manufacturing continues to provide a valuable platform for industry insight, supply chain engagement and technology discovery.

Our visit provided the opportunity to reconnect with a number of key suppliers and partners, as well as walking the floor to explore new and innovative engineering solutions in operation. From advanced manufacturing processes to emerging materials and precision engineering technologies, the exhibition reinforced the strength and diversity of the UK manufacturing sector.

Regular attendance at industry events such as this ensures Barum & Dewar remains closely aligned with developments across manufacturing and engineering, enabling us to continue delivering high-performance protective packaging solutions to our customers across defence, aerospace, space and industrial markets.