B&D is pleased to have once again been selected by SEA to provide protective packaging cases and foam solutions for their TLS-M launcher system.

The project involves the complex machining of foam inserts to ensure each launcher system is securely packed within a compact case, delivering both practicality and protection for transport and handling.

Our continued partnership with SEA reflects the confidence clients place in B&D’s precision design, quality manufacturing, and attention to operational detail, helping ensure critical defence equipment is safely and efficiently deployed around the world.

“Working with SEA on the TLS-M project again underlines the consistency and trust we’ve built over the years,” says Mark Speck, Regional Sales Manager. “Their systems are intricate, and every millimetre of foam matters. It’s rewarding to know that our packaging plays a key role in supporting operational readiness in the field.”

We’re proud to continue our partnership with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) in Southampton, a world-leading research organisation dedicated to advancing marine science and technology.

B&D has recently been contracted to design and manufacture new bespoke foam inserts for the NOC’s updated research equipment. Built for use in challenging marine environments, the kits will be supplied in rugged, durable Zarges cases with LD45 foam inserts to provide reliable protection and performance at sea.

In addition, we’ve been awarded a further contract to design and manufacture bespoke inserts for small altimeter kits, supplied in Storm cases, also for use in ocean research. These new solutions build on our long-term relationship with NOC, where precision, reliability, and environmental resilience are key.

Mark Speck, Regional Sales Manager, commented “NOC’s equipment operates in some of the most demanding conditions on Earth, so the cases we design need to perform flawlessly. It’s about engineering confidence into every kit that goes to sea.”

Barum & Dewar has secured a new order with Drilling Systems, a specialist in advanced simulator technology for the oil and gas industry. The project involves the provision of rugged cases with bespoke foam inserts to transport their DS50 training simulator kits safely and efficiently.

Having successfully supported Drilling Systems in the past, our team was trusted once again to deliver a robust solution for this high-value equipment. The custom rugged case and foam design provide a secure, protective, and practical means of transport, ensuring each kit arrives on site ready for use by trainees and operators around the world.

“This is another great example of the trust our long-term clients place in us,” says Mark Speck, Regional Sales Manager. “These simulator kits are valuable and sensitive, so our role is to make sure they arrive on site safely and in perfect working order. We’re proud to play a small but vital part in supporting safer training across the oil and gas sector.”

Barum & Dewar (B&D), is pleased to announce the award of a follow-on contract from US client, Planet Labs Inc, the leading provider of daily Earth data and insights.

This new order builds on B&D’s ongoing partnership with Planet Labs, supplying purpose-built containers designed to protect and transport satellites safely from manufacture through to launch. This latest contract is for two DELTA^® style containers which reflects both Planet’s continued investment in its expanding satellite fleet and the proven performance of B&D’s container solutions.

Planet Labs Inc. (Planet), operates the world’s largest fleet of Earth-Imaging satellites, collecting massive amounts of information about our changing planet. Planet’s mission is to image the entire Earth every day and make change visible, accessible, and actionable. The new order for additional containers will support Planet Lab’s new Earth Imaging Satellite constellation.

David Frame, B&D’s Managing Director, commented, “We are delighted that Planet Labs has once again placed its trust in Barum & Dewar, delivering protection for highly valuable and sensitive satellite technology is a responsibility we take very seriously. This follow-on contract underscores the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to mission success.”

B&D’s DELTA^® containers are engineered to meet the rigorous demands of satellite handling, offering optimal protection against shock, vibration, and environmental challenges encountered throughout the logistics chain. Designed and manufactured entirely in the UK, B&D’s container solutions are gaining increasing interest and demand on the international stage.

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.