Barum & Dewar was delighted to be awarded a third follow on contract with Astroscale, an international leader in the space sector, in July 2023, for the design and manufacture of the transit and storage container for the End of Life Services by Astroscale-Multiple mission (ELSA-M). The container was successfully delivered to Astroscale’s brand new facility, Zeus, at Harwell, Oxfordshire in December 2023 ahead of the preparation for anticipated launch of an in-orbit demonstration mission in 2025.

This project will be the world’s first commercial removal of a client’s inactive satellite and have the ability to remove multiple inactive satellites one at a time. Funding for the in-orbit demonstration mission is being provided by the U.K. Space Agency, the European Space Agency and OneWeb. The project is pivotal in delivering Astroscale’s vision of securing the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations.

Having originally provided a B&D DELTA^® style transit container for the earlier structural qualification model (SQM) development and testing schedule, the mission container is a fully fabricated and environmentally sealed bespoke solution, including a shock mounted platform, purge and rapid decompression capability and dual height lids to suit variable payloads.

The container will safely transport the ELSA-M spacecraft both domestically and internationally providing a secure, clean, and dry environment. In addition, the container will protect the payload from shock, vibration and ground handling movements whilst ensuring all safe handing practices are provided for.

The rapid growth of the space sector has resulted in a large amount of debris which poses a risk to existing satellites, space stations and astronauts and risks inhibiting future space exploration. Barum & Dewar is proud to be part of a project that is focused on making the sector more sustainable.

David Frame commented, “Having designed and manufactured the initial DELTA^® style container for the qualification model Barum & Dewar were delighted to be awarded the follow on contract for the ELSA-M mission spacecraft container. This latest contract reflects the trust placed on B&D by Astroscale and reflects the relationship established over the last 2-3 years.

B&D have developed a hard earned reputation not just with the UK but now internationally as one of the go-to companies for satellite container design and manufacture.

Our teams have worked closely with Astroscale colleagues to ensure the design and subsequent manufacture was undertaken on time, within agreed budget and to the highest of build standards”

Carlotta Morini, Project Director, said, “We’re delighted to be working with Barum & Dewar again on this third contract. It is fantastic to have such a strong supply chain as the ELSA-M mission continues to grow and pave the way for commercial in-orbiting practises to become routine to ensure our orbits stay safe and sustainable for future generations.”

Barum & Dewar is delighted to confirm another contract win with long standing client Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) to provide an extension spacer for use with an existing transit container.

SSTL is one of the UK’s major manufacturers of world-leading small satellites and has been at the innovative forefront of the industry for over 40 years. We have worked on a number of key projects in recent years with SSTL and are delighted to be supporting them on this latest project.

The container will be used to transport the new lunar pathfinder satellite later in 2024 and the extension spacer will enable a previously redundant transit container to be re-purposed and given a new lease of life. This will save SSTL materials, time and money.

With work planned to start in the Spring and completing in Summer, we are delighted to have once again secured the trust and confidence of SSTL and look forward to continuing our successful relationship.

Barum & Dewar was delighted to be included in Space Scotland’s meet the company feature running in their monthly newsletter. With a wealth of experience in the sector we are proud to be a member of Space Scotland and an established supplier in Scotland’s growing industry.

How does Barum & Dewar enhance Scotland's end-to-end space ecosystem?

Our in-house designed protective cases and containers have been shipped to launch sites all over the world, with many undertaking numerous repeat missions before being reconfigured for fresh challenges. It is exciting to see the growth in the Scottish space sector, and to be a part of the supply chain that fuels that growth. From satellites to propulsion systems, hand carry cases to 4.5m high containers, 5kg to 5000kg payloads, the industry knows we have the capability to deliver exactly what is required.

What opportunities for collaboration exist between Barum & Dewar and the rest of the Scottish space sector?

There are fewer more demanding and challenging sectors than space. For almost 25 years we have been the leading UK supplier of transit and storage containers, for both flight hardware and ground support equipment, to the global space sector. With deadlines to meet and the most valuable of cargo to protect, many of the world’s leading space companies put their trust in us to design, develop and supply all their container requirements. With our extensive knowledge of the sector, we can be trusted to deliver the right protective packaging solution for the job every time.

What kind of businesses is Barum & Dewar looking to attract?

We look to work collaboratively with any business needing transport equipment that requires an advanced level of product protection. Whatever the requirement, our team will work to design the optimal protective packaging solution. We provide solutions from all major case manufacturers, as well as in-house design services for customised manufacture in foam, fabric, timber and aluminium.

How are you ensuring equal employment opportunities within Barum & Dewar?

In October 2023, Barum & Dewar was acquired by the publicly owned Macfarlane Group, a leading UK and EU specialist packaging solutions provider. As a Macfarlane Group company, we work to their industry leading agenda for diversity, social and environmental impacts, which ensures we are always striving to promote equal employment opportunities.

What are Barum & Dewar’s short-term and long-term goals?

Our focus is on growth within our specialist sector. In addition to the space sector, we have an established reputation in the aerospace, defence, and offshore sectors, each sharing a requirement for complex and technical protective packaging solutions. We have solutions in deployment across the globe, so our focus continues to be on building our growth in the Scottish, UK, and global market.

Are there any upcoming events or projects that would interest the Space Scotland community?

Events that bring our sector together are always fantastic opportunities to learn about the most recent sector developments, meet clients and connect with new companies. This month the focus is on the Space Tech Expo in Europe and the UK Space Conference, both of which will be excellent opportunities for the sector to connect.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

The collaborative nature of the space sector aligns well with Barum & Dewar’s own ethos and approach. As a result B&D are well placed to support both the emerging as well as the more established businesses operating in the Scottish space sector.

2023 has been another busy and exciting year for Barum & Dewar and with the recent announcement that B&D Group was acquired by Macfarlane Group in October 2023, we end the year with B&D Managing Director, David Frame, reflecting on the journey so far.

For you, what have been some of the key successes over the last 25 years?

25 years is quite a long time and as you can imagine there have been both successes and some failures; in truth, it is the odd failure that provides the valuable lessons for future successes. A key success of note would be an early decision to widen our product offering, adding industry-leading products from globally recognised brands such as Zarges and Peli, enhancing our core design and metal fabrication capabilities. Over the years we have continued to expand the range of OEM cases, diversifying options for customers within our portfolio and adding textiles, timber and corrugate solutions.

In 2010, we set up our own foam factory, bringing in-house and under direct control all foam fabrication, ensuring quality and reducing lead times for all clients. Notable contract wins in both the Defence and Space sectors have helped propel Barum & Dewar forward and become recognised as one of the leading specialist packaging companies in the UK.

The glue to our success has been our ability to attract, develop and retain a dedicated and motivated team – passionate about detail, dedicated to the customer experience and extremely knowledgeable. It is the B&D team that is our biggest success.

B&D has built a strong reputation for its ability to solve complex packaging problems, what’s the biggest challenge you have faced to date?

Challenges are never far from our door, we thrive on them and often take on the projects others shy away from. When we first started to design and supply satellite containers into the Space sector in the late 1990’s we had little experience and everything was new to us- the terminology, specific requirements of this sector and a realisation of the huge responsibility we were taking on to protect a satellite which had taken several years of development and construction, there was no second chance! 25 years on and we are recognised as the go-to company for satellite and space hardware containers not just in the UK but now with an increasing international client base. At around 40 feet in length, our custom-manufactured aluminium periscope containers have been safely storing and transporting periscopes and masts for the UK Navy’s submarine fleet and are some of the largest containers ever produced by B&D – an annual contract to repair and recertify these containers has been awarded to B&D for over 20 years.

Space, Defence and Aerospace are all very technical and complex sectors, what makes B&D so suited to these sectors specifically?

Knowledge and experience of these sectors is key and B&D has immersed itself in working collaboratively with many of the leading companies to gain a deep understanding of how they operate and of their needs and challenges. B&D is an engineering company at heart with a curious and innovative mindset, constantly asking questions and embracing change. We are fanatical about detail and client engagement so work best on a collaborative basis. These sectors are understandably demanding with high expectations but our track record of delivering exceptional results on time and to budget means we have gained the trust of our clients and a reputation for delivering time and time again.

MacFarlane Packaging is highly regarded in the industry, what are you most looking forward to in this next exciting chapter for B&D?

B&D has joined not only one of the UK’s largest packaging suppliers but a company formed in 1949 with core values at its heart that remain just as important today and this aligns perfectly with the B&D ethos. Looking ahead we see challenges and opportunities in equal measure as we look to widen our client network and increase our product and service offerings. With the support of the Macfarlane family of businesses, we will have the opportunity to work together offering enhanced packaging services not just throughout the UK but into Europe and beyond.

B&D has a loyal team, many who have been with the business for a long time. What opportunities will the acquisition give them?

The B&D team is not just loyal and long-standing but ambitious and excited by this recent acquisition. The opportunity to be part of a bigger business brings not only increased security and certainty for the future but also fresh challenges and access to a wider network of experienced colleagues where shared ideas and skills can be developed.

B&D and MacFarlane Packaging share a similar ethos around quality and responsible practices, how else do you feel the businesses align?

Ambition. B&D are joining at a time of growth and expansion across the Macfarlane Group becoming the third acquisition made in 2023. Our businesses share a commitment to customer service and the client experience is what it is all about. The challenge is to bring our combined strengths together to further add to that experience, focusing on the detail and differentiating us from the competition.

How will the acquisition support B&D’s existing clients?

It should provide them with reassurance as not only will they continue to deal with the existing team at B&D but they will have access to a wider range of products and services including regional logistics hubs throughout the UK. In addition, they will recognise the increased financial stability an acquisition of this scale brings and the background support available not only to B&D but to our clients as well.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients and our team for all their work and support in 2023 and I look forward to continued success in 2024.

Barum & Dewar is delighted to confirm our renewal on the JOSCAR supplier accreditation register ahead of a number of upcoming projects in 2024. Having first obtained the qualification in 2019, the team at Barum & Dewar works hard to maintain the standards of JOSCAR and we are pleased that we have once again satisfied the requirements to become fully compliant on the register.

The Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register (JOSCAR) is an accreditation system that is highly valued by large purchasers in the Defence, Space, Security and Aerospace sectors which shows that suppliers are fit for business and identifies organisations who have shown commitment to achieving the credentials and live the values that the accreditation system stand for.

The open system of information that JOSCAR provides also benefits us as a supplier as it allows us to demonstrate our level of customer compliance, quickly qualify any 3^rdparty suppliers we may use and identify areas where we can be continuously improving our business which in turn allows us to provide the excellent level of service to our customers that Barum & Dewar has become synonymous with.

Focused on reducing the time, cost and resources needed to provide information to major customers as a risk management tool, it objectively assesses potential vendor risks and areas of compliance before suppliers can obtain accreditation.

A cross-sector collaboration solution, the accreditation is supported by some of the largest purchasers in the defence community such as Leonardo, BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence, and indicates that Barum & Dewar has fulfilled the appropriate credentials.