BCF Designs, the Gloucestershire-based leaders in aerospace fuel and databus test equipment, has been acquired by Ultra Electronics for £12.5m.

Ultra-BCF, as the company will now be known, has three key facilities in Cirencester, Gloucestershire and also opened BCF Designs Inc in Suffolk, Virginia US, two years ago.

Founded some 15 years ago, BCF today has some 40 employees across its UK and US locations. Recent customers for fuel and databus test equipment have included BAE Systems, the US Navy and the US Army National Guard.

The company also contributed test equipment to the Agusta Westland US Presidential helicopter fleet order.

Gareth John, a founder of BCF Designs and managing director until today's acquisition said: “Acquisition by an organisation _such as Ultra Electronics is recognition of the dedication, innovation and hard work of everyone who works for BCF Designs.

“The resources of Ultra Electronics will help us provide even greater opportunities for BCF people in Cirencester and the US.”
Ultra-BCF's new director and general manager, Andrew Neal said: “It gives me enormous pleasure to be taking over from Gareth John. BCF's products complement Ultra's existing fixed and rotary wing military aircraft systems and wiring harness capabilities.

“The acquisition of BCF augments Ultra's range of specialist solutions in the fields of safety, testing, and validation for military and civil aircraft worldwide.

“I firmly believe that Ultra-BCF has an exciting future and I look forward to working with the dedicated team at Cirencester to realise our potential.” he added.

As BCF Designs, the company was well known for its work in the community and support of local charities. Each year it supported engineering initiatives in various local schools in Gloucestershire, especially Powell's School, Cirencester, who annually visited the Phoenix Way headquarters, learned about the aerospace world and were able to look over aircraft at bases such as RAF Brize Norton.

BCF Designs  helped raise funds for Indigo, the drop in centre in Cirencester for youngsters with concerns about sex, drugs and the various other issues they face BCF also contributed significantly to the tsunami appeal organised by the Rotary Club of Cirencester, which gained much support.

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