Who We Are
Founded in 1965 by Henry ‘Roy’ Smith, we are still a family run company specialising in aerospace engineering and manufacturing.
British Aerospace Engineering & Manufacturing
Vertically integrated with a wide range of capabilities to design, manufacture and test aerospace products, systems and subsystems. This includes communication and navigation antennas and search & rescue equipment. Our global customer base includes leading aerospace manufacturers, aircraft operators, and government agencies. Our dedication to innovation has firmly established us as a market leader in both civil and military aviation and search and rescue.
Three Companies, One Group
Offers a full range of Search and Rescue beacons, including ELTs, ADELTs and Iridium trackers, as well as Direction Finding systems to locate personnel in distress for both civil and military applications. In addition, Techtest manufactures and develops a range of test equipment specifically for testing aircraft antennas and Search and Rescue products.
RF specialists focussed on designing and manufacturing aerospace antennas and all the necessary accessories, including RF ancillaries and its range of patented conductive sealing gaskets. The company also manufactures electrostatic dischargers for all types of aircraft platforms.
Originally founded to research and develop advanced composite materials for RF designs and aircraft structures. With its headquarters in Rockford, Tennessee, the company now also coordinates all business of the HR Smith Group within the USA and Canada.
Our History
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1965
The Beginning
Founded by Henry ‘Roy’ Smith, with our first facility at Gas alley, Wellington Street, Thame.
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1970
The New Mill
Move to larger facilities. The New Mill at Witney.
-
1973
Street Court
Move to Street
Court, Herefordshire. -
1985
Specmat Inc
Specmat Technologies, US office opened.
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1987
Rotherwas Factory
First Factory at Rotherwas, Hereford.
-
1994
First PLB
Our first Personal Locator beacon 500-1.
-
1996
First ELT
Our first Emergency Locator Transmitter 503-1.
-
2002
First CPI
Our first Crash Position Indicator.
-
2012
500-30
Military PLB (500-30) for the F16.
-
2017
Investment in R&D
Investment in new R&D facilities at Rotherwas.
-
2020
Investment in Test
Investment in new testing facilities at Rotherwas.
CareersWork for HR Smith
At HR Smith, we foster a culture of innovation and excellence that fuels our
passion for aerospace engineering. Joining our team means becoming part of a dynamic environment where creativity thrives, challenges are embraced and
every individual’s contribution is valued.
Apprenticeships
Embark on a journey of hands-on learning and skill development with our apprenticeship programs at HR Smith.
Latest Vacancies
Rotherwas, Hereford The Job Role If you are looking for a new challenge with a global market leader which designs and manufactures aerospace search and rescue equipment, HR Smith Group of Companies is the one for you. We have over 5 decades of experience and are dedicated to finding the perfect solutions for our customers. […]
Find out moreSouth Wales & South West The Job Role Chunc Limited is a family run business and forms part of the HR Smith Group. We design, develop and manufacture a range of manual attendant-controlled wheelchairs in our factory based in Hereford. We offer indoor and outdoor mobility solutions for children and young adults with moderate to […]
Find out moreRotherwas, Hereford The Job Role If you are looking for a new challenge with a global market leader which designs and manufactures aerospace search and rescue equipment, HR Smith Group of Companies is the one for you. We are a family run business with over 5 decades of experience and are dedicated to finding the […]
Find out moreWant To Know More?
Ready to take your aviation experience to new heights? Interested in learning more about our innovative solutions? Whether you’re seeking detailed information or a comprehensive brochure, our team is here to assist you. Contact us today to explore the possibilities and embark on a journey towards safer, smarter aviation
