The new Defence Industrial Strategy sets a clear direction. It outlines how the United Kingdom intends to strengthen its defence industrial base and where suppliers fit within that ambition. The document is detailed, practical, and focused on outcomes. This is a positive step forward.

Barum & Dewar has supplied the defence sector for over twenty-five years. Our role is to design and manufacture protective cases and containers for mission-critical equipment. Whether it is secure communications systems, surveillance components, portable toolkits or deployable electronics, we ensure these assets are protected.

We are familiar with the pressures of short lead times, evolving requirements, and the need to deliver without compromise. What has often been more challenging is navigating procurement frameworks that are slow or opaque. The strategy recognises this and proposes several changes that should improve engagement with industry, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.

The pledge to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by 2028 is a welcome one. So is the introduction of a centralised supplier registration platform. Both have the potential to make bidding for work simpler and more transparent, allowing capable suppliers to focus on delivery rather than red tape.

The strategy also aims to align export support with the procurement cycle. Allowing companies to apply for export licences while bidding for international contracts could help more UK-based suppliers participate in global opportunities, especially when partnering with prime contractors.

There is also a shift in language around partnerships. References to long-term relationships and earlier engagement suggest an intention to move away from transactional models. If delivered properly, this would allow suppliers to plan with more confidence and bring forward solutions earlier in the development cycle. Barum & Dewar has long recognised the benefits of early engagement and through its "bid support" programme has offered no obligation packaging design and technical assistance to those defence Primes bidding on UK Ministry of Defence projects.

Some areas will need further detail. It is not yet clear how early engagement will be structured, or how input from smaller suppliers will be integrated into major programmes. Metrics for success should also reflect more than cost and schedule. Resilience, responsiveness, and technical integrity all matter.

Barum & Dewar will continue to do what we do well: listen carefully, respond quickly, and deliver consistently. We welcome the ambition behind the strategy, and we look forward to contributing to its implementation in a way that supports both national capability and practical delivery on the ground.

Barum & Dewar is pleased to announce a new contract with SEA to supply rugged protective cases for their Reeler Array hardware.

This project required the design and manufacture of custom foam inserts fitted within durable, field-ready cases, ensuring the secure transport and handling of key system components. We are proud to partner with our trusted supplier Peli, who are providing the outer cases, helping us meet SEA’s specification and delivery expectations within a tight timeline.

A valued customer of more than 11 years, SEA continues to turn to Barum & Dewar for trusted packaging solutions that balance protection, quality and consistency.

Mark Speck, Regional Sales Manager, commented, “We’re pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with SEA and to collaborate with Peli on this latest requirement. As ever, our focus remains on delivering reliable, effective solutions that meet the needs of our defence sector clients.”

Barum & Dewar is pleased to confirm a further call-off order from long-standing client MK Test Systems, continuing our work together on their EXLRT aerospace test equipment.

The contract covers 100 protective cases, each with custom routed foam inserts designed to house and protect this intrinsically safe testing system used across the aerospace sector. As with previous orders, we have worked closely with the MK Test team to ensure our solution remains cost-competitive and can be delivered to suit requirement, supporting phased supply in line with their production and distribution schedules.

Having worked together since 2016, this latest order reinforces the strong and trusted relationship built over many years.

We are proud to play a continued role in supporting such a respected UK technology provider with packaging solutions that ensure safe and secure delivery of their cutting-edge equipment.

Barum & Dewar is proud to announce a significant six-figure contract win with Thales UK, marking another large and complex project in the company’s growing defence portfolio.

Under the contract, Barum & Dewar will deliver a total of 28 containers across 8 different specifications, ranging from large, fully engineered aluminium containers to compact plastic Peli style cases, each designed to support the complex requirements in support of the UK Submarine Programme through Thales UK. Thales UK have recently been awarded the MSET contract by the MOD.

Thales UK’s contract will enhance the Royal Navy’s ability to maximise time at sea through improved modular support capabilities. As part of this strategic initiative, Barum & Dewar will provide specialist protective packaging solutions to enable safe, secure and efficient handling of critical equipment, supporting both operational readiness and long-term equipment life.

This highly technical project involves complex design and engineering work, as well as rigorous testing, to meet the demanding standards of the defence sector. From initial concept through to delivery, Barum & Dewar’s experienced team will manage each container’s journey, ensuring it meets the performance, protection, and integration needs of Thales and the end users in the Royal Navy.

David Frame, Managing Director, Barum & Dewar commented, “This win is a real achievement for B&D and one we are extremely proud of. Supporting Thales on the contract reflects the trust placed in our team to deliver highly complex and technical solutions. It’s a true testament to the capability, innovation, and commitment that defines our work. As part of Macfarlane Packaging Group, Barum & Dewar is seeking to expand its presence and partnership model more widely within the UK MOD and with key defence primes such as Thales UK.”

Stephen McCann, Managing Director of Thales OME, Glasgow, “I’m delighted that Thales is collaborating with supply chain partners like Barum and Dewar. Partnerships such as these will ensure the continued success of Thales and the Royal Navy’s Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team (MSET) programme, and the crucial mission to protect the UK and maintain the security of the world’s critical sea lanes.”

This milestone contract not only strengthens Barum & Dewar’s position within the UK defence supply chain but also demonstrates the company’s ability to scale and deliver on high-value, multi-faceted projects that are central to national defence and operational efficiency.

As she settles into her new role, we sat down with Julie Checkley to find out more about her background, her goals, and what excites her most about joining Barum & Dewar.

Tell us a bit about your career so far and what led you to B&D?

I’ve spent over 10 years working in B2B sales across manufacturing and packaging, with experience in plastics prototyping, automotive, aerospace, and food sectors. What really attracted me to B&D was the focus on innovation, bespoke design and the backing of Macfarlane Packaging. Plus, the culture here is inspiring, driven people doing great work.

What do you enjoy most about business development?

For me, it’s all about problem solving. I love getting to know a client’s challenges, listening carefully, and then helping them find the right solution. Every customer is different and that makes every project interesting.

Which sectors are you most excited to get involved with at B&D?

Space and defence really stand out. They’re really interesting sectors and full of potential. I’m looking forward to learning more about the sectors and seeing how we can bring real value to clients working in those fields.

What are your top priorities in the first few months?

Building relationships with our existing customers, listening to what they need, and understanding how we can better support them. I also want to get under the skin of how we work internally, streamlining quoting and service so that everything runs as smoothly as possible.

What does success look like for you in this role?

It’s about delivering value. Helping people solve problems, growing relationships, and making sure customers really understand the breadth of what we can offer. It’s not just about the product, it’s how we deliver it and the trust we build along the way.

And finally, what motivates you?

Doing my best in every situation. If I know I’ve made a difference and helped someone achieve their goal, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.