In aerospace engineering, a longeron is the primary longitudinal structural member that runs the full length of the fuselage. It carries the principal loads through every phase of flight, and provides the backbone to which every frame, skin panel, and fitting is attached.
The Longeron Group exists to be precisely that structure for the precision engineering businesses we own. We carry the loads; capital, governance, oversight, and strategic direction, so that our operating companies can focus on what they do best: precision engineering to the highest standards in British aerospace and defence.
THE GROUP
Built for the long term
Longeron Group is an acquisition holding company focused on precision engineering and aerospace and defence manufacturing SMEs in the United Kingdom. We provide investment, operational leadership, and a long-term ownership horizon to businesses with strong technical foundations and established supply-chain approvals.
Our first acquisition, Automatic Industrial Machines Limited, holds AS9100D certification and approvals for Airbus, BAE Systems, GE Aviation, Aernova, and GKN supply chains. AIM represents the archetype for the type of company we seek: technically credible, operationally sound, and ready for the next phase of growth under permanent ownership.
Longeron Group is backed by Fordhouse, which has completed over 21 UK SME acquisitions. We combine that institutional track record with hands-on operational leadership at subsidiary level, with our leadership team embedded within the operating businesses.
HOW WE WORK
Acquisition criteria
CIVIL AEROSPACE
Commercial Aircraft
We target businesses embedded in the civil aviation supply chain, supporting major commercial aircraft programmes across narrow-body, wide-body, and rotorcraft platforms. Established relationships with civil aviation primes and tier one integrators are a strong positive indicator.
DEFENCE
Defence Components
We acquire businesses serving the UK defence sector across aviation and the wider range of defence applications including platform, naval, ground systems, and emerging programme work. Our focus is not limited to a single domain. Established prime relationships and the quality standards defence programmes demand are what we look for.
ADVANCED Platforms
Emerging Capability, Space and Advanced
We are interested in businesses positioned in emerging high-value sectors including space, uncrewed systems, and advanced platform programmes. These markets demand the same precision, traceability, and quality standards as traditional aerospace and defence
Target Capabilities; CNC Machining · Multi-axis Machining · 5-axis Machining · CNC Turning · CNC Milling · Precision Grinding · Honing · Lapping · Wire Erosion · Spark Erosion · Sheet Metal Fabrication · Welding & Assembly · Tube Manipulation · Fabrication · Heat Treatment · Shot Peening · Shot Blasting · Anodising · Hard Anodising · Surface Treatment · Passivation · Electroplating · NDT · Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection ·
Driving Business Success
Preserving Legacies, Driving Growth
From full business acquisition to future growth strategies, we empower business owners with innovative solutions to preserve their legacies and drive sustainable growth.
Portfolio company
Founded over 50 years ago, AIM has built its reputation as a trusted precision engineering partner to the UK aerospace and defence sector. The business holds AS9100D certification and approved supplier status with Airbus UK, BAE Systems, GE Aviation, GKN, and a range of leading tier one integrators — a position in the supply chain that reflects decades of consistent quality and technical reliability. AIM is Longeron Group's first and founding operating subsidiary.
Our Investors
We are partnered with and funded by a consortium of Family offices, high-net worth individuals, and professional investors led by Fordhouse investment group which has completed over 21 UK SME acquisitions.
Team
DEDICATION. EXPERTISE. PASSION.
We understand that selling, or taking external investment into a business you have built is not a transaction - it is a decision about what happens next.
That is why we keep our structure flat and our process direct. The person leading the conversation about your business is the person who will be running it alongside you. No intermediaries, no junior teams, no escalation required. You will always deal with the decision maker.
CEO
Patrick Mills
Group CEO with an established track record delivering growth and transformation in industrial and financial services including Rolls-Royce, Safran Group, Mecha-chrome, PIB Group, Lloyds Banking Group, & AIG
He holds a EMBA from the University of Cambridge, is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
CFO
Nicholas Sydney-Smith
A commercially led CFO with a
"Big 4" Transaction Services foundation and significant experience in PE-backed environments.
He brings a proven track record in executing M&A, debt refinancing, and post-merger integration.
A disciplined approach to capital-intensive platforms.
Partner Fordhouse
Nicholas Ashford
Nicholas oversees investments and technology transformation strategy.
He has been an SME owner-operator, with all the scars that comes from it.
Nicholas cut his teeth as a Strategy & Operations management consultant at Capgemini, working across Europe, the Middle-East and Far-East and qualified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Partner Fordhouse
Marcin Scicinski
Marcin leads on research and investment process across sectors, working with management teams to identify and execute deals, ensuring that they align to the strategic goals of the business.
Marcin holds an economics degree and has previous experience hedge funds and VC.