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.

The 2025 UK Space Conference, held in Manchester, brought together leaders from across policy, academia and industry to explore one vital question: how do we move forward in space?

Under the theme Space for Growth, the two-day event highlighted the sector’s increasing role in the UK’s economy, security and scientific advancement. With space and satellite services now estimated to underpin £454 billion of wider industrial activity, 18% of the UK’s GDP, the message was clear: space is no longer a niche interest, it’s a national asset.

“The UK Space Conference in Manchester is a powerful reminder that space is not just about looking up,” said Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency. “It’s about moving forward.”

And move forward it must. Speakers and panellists examined where the sector is headed in 2025 and beyond, discussing the opportunities, the challenges and the steps needed to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of the global space economy.

The UK is already well-positioned in several key areas. It has long been a global leader in telecommunications and downstream applications, and it continues to excel in sustainability, climate science, and other research-led domains. As the commercial space sector scales, the UK’s balance of industrial capability, academic research, and a vibrant private investment landscape gives it a strong competitive edge.

Indeed, private investment in space hit record highs in 2024, with European ventures raising over €1.5 billion, a 56% increase year-on-year. Globally, private investment grew by 20% to €7 billion, and Europe’s share of global private funding surged from 3% in 2019 to 22% in 2024. However, the event also sounded a note of caution: public investment in space is lagging. In 2024, Europe accounted for just 10% of global public space spending, down from 15% in 2019, raising concerns over the balance of funding needed to support long-term infrastructure, research and national capability.

The UK Government’s response includes a growing focus on strategic priorities. Satellite communications, in particular, have been identified as a national capability area, and on the conference’s opening day, the UK Space Agency announced £4.5 million in funding for four new projects aimed at advancing satellite-based 5G and 6G systems.

From new spaceport ambitions to sustainability in low Earth orbit, and a pressing drive to clean up space, the UK Space Conference reaffirmed the vital role of space in driving innovation, economic growth and national resilience. With over 30 years of experience in the sector, Barum & Dewar is proud to support the UK’s space ambitions as a trusted supply chain partner for specialist transit containers and handling solutions.

“This year’s conference showed just how far the UK space sector has come and how much potential there still is to unlock,” said David Frame, Managing Director at Barum & Dewar. “We’re proud to play a part in this journey, working alongside clients across commercial and scientific missions as a trusted partner to deliver the protection and performance their equipment demands.”

Last week, Regional Sales Manager Mark Speck represented Barum & Dewar at a WEAF (West of England Aerospace Forum) cluster event hosted by Airbus in Filton.

The event brought together aerospace manufacturers, suppliers and industry partners from across the South and South West of England. It provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about current developments within the sector and to connect with new contacts.

Mark commented, “This was a valuable opportunity to engage directly with key players in the aerospace supply chain and to highlight how Barum & Dewar’s engineered packaging solutions can support their operations.”

There was strong interest in B&D’s capabilities, particularly around WIP (Work in Progress) storage, kitting, and transit container solutions. Several follow-up discussions are now underway to explore how Barum & Dewar can support manufacturers with practical, protective and efficient packaging solutions.

Barum & Dewar would like to thank WEAF and Airbus for hosting an engaging and well-organised event.

Barum & Dewar is pleased to confirm attendance at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025, taking place 9–12 September 2025 at ExCeL London. As one of the most influential events in the global defence and security calendar, DSEI provides an essential platform for connecting with the wider defence community and exploring the future of defence capability and supply chain collaboration.

Building on the momentum of previous years, DSEI 2025 will focus on the theme of ‘Preparing the Future Force’, reflecting the evolving needs of the UK's defence sector in an increasingly complex global landscape. Launched by UK Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin KBC ADC, the theme underscores the critical importance of preparing our Armed Forces to meet future challenges.

David Frame, Managing Director, commented: "DSEI remains a key event for Barum & Dewar, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the latest developments in defence and security and to meet with our clients, collaborators, and peers. We’re looking forward to another productive visit- building relationships, learning from others, and showcasing how we continue to support the UK and international defence supply chain through innovation and responsiveness."

David will be joined at this year’s event by Julie Checkley, Business Development Manager, and Mark Speck, Regional Sales Manager, with the team attending from Tuesday to Thursday.

We would be delighted to meet with our valued clients and contacts during the event. To arrange a meeting, please email d.frame@barumanddewar.com.