Aerodyn
14 April 2026
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Sector: Engineering & Manufacturing
Location: Derby
Derby based Aerodyn is an international, highly specialised engineering business that provides instrumentation services and products for turbomachinery applications and slip rings* for aerospace and defence applications.
The company was established in 2007 as a subsidiary of Aerodyn Engineering LLC, which was founded in 2002 and located in Indianapolis, USA. Since 2018, the business is independently owned but still works closely with its sister company in the USA.
With an established customer base, including major firms such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Siemans Energy and international markets the business is in an exciting phase of growth with ambitions around export, investment, operational expansion and future certification.
(*Slip rings are electromechanical devices that are used to transmit power and data between a stationary structure and a rotating component. They are commonly used in systems where continuous rotation is required while maintaining the transfer of electrical signals or power.)
Challenges faced
Some of the barriers to growth related to understanding what local support was available and identifying suitable export opportunities. At the same time, the business was managing increased demand following the closure of another UK business, whose US parent company decided to consolidate its slip ring capabilities in the US, with new contracts ready to be negotiated. However, they did not yet have the capacity to deliver this level of work without expanding their production capability in Derby, investing in machinery and employing more staff. This presented a challenge, as these costs would need to be committed to before any contract income was received.
The business was also dealing with fluctuating revenue linked to delays in defence contracts, which added further uncertainty when planning for growth. Alongside this, they were keen to grow their export market, and an opportunity to attend a trade show in Seoul had also presented itself.
Solution – Support Given
Aerodyn has been working with East Midlands Chamber Business Adviser, Lisa Baggott, and the Accelerator project since summer 2025.
During the initial meeting, Lisa took time to understand the business, its ambitions and the challenges it faced in scaling up. From there, she helped identify relevant support and funding opportunities that could move the business forward. This included guidance with Aerodyn’s successful Export Accelerator grant application, which secured £8,000 towards attending an international aerospace and defence trade show in South Korea to explore export opportunities, as well as supporting updates to the company’s website for its defence-related products.
Recognising the wider scale of the opportunity, Lisa also connected the business to a broader package of support. This included signposting international trade support through East Midlands Chamber, introducing Aerodyn to the East Midlands Manufacturing Network, and making connections to the British Business Bank and Midlands Engine Investment Fund II via Maven. She also supported the business with guidance on its £250,000 Invest to Grow expression of interest to help unlock investment for expansion. Through this process, the business was also given the opportunity to apply for an additional £25,000 University of Derby capital grant towards equipment.
To strengthen support even further, Lisa referred Aerodyn to the Innovate UK High Growth programme, helping the business access additional specialist expertise to support its next stage of growth.
Impact - The Difference it’s Made
The support has led to the creation of two new jobs, taking the team to 27 at the Derby base. Another significant impact has been the realisation, through working with East Midlands Chamber, that there is an excellent local network of experienced advisers and support for SMEs to help realise growth and export ambitions.
“Overall, I find Lisa to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable. She has provided myself and the business valuable information and insights at a critical stage in the next phase of our business growth and export plan.”
- Chris Claypole, Managing Director
