Defence contractor to move manufacturing to Wales

A defence contractor has announced it will move its manufacturing more than 200 miles from Cambridge to Wales putting 158 jobs at risk.

Marshall Land Systems announced it planned to complete a move to Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales by 31 March 2027.

The company was sold by the Marshall Group, which was founded in Cambridge in 1909, to Canadian investment firm Flowing River Capital Partners in November 2025.

Moving manufacturing would reduce costs and provide longer term sustainability, the business told the BBC.

The proposed changes would impact 158 employees and 59 fixed-term agency contractors.

A consultation period began after the announcement on Thursday.

A spokesman for Marshall Land Systems said: "We can confirm that Marshall Land Systems has announced a proposal to relocate its UK production facility to Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, with a phased transition beginning in summer 2026."

It added manufacturing in Cambridge would continue to run in parallel with the new site until December.

Marshall Land Systems said it had actively sought suitable, cost-effective premises within the local area "but had been unable to find an option" to "allow the business to continue operating in an efficient and financially sustainable way".

It added the move to South Wales would "significantly reduce operating costs, including rent and business rates", which would make the business more sustainable for the future.

"We recognise this will be a difficult time for those affected, and we are committed to supporting our people throughout the consultation process and beyond.

"We do not expect any impact on customers or service levels during this period," the business said.

The Marshall Group announced plans in 2019 to leave Cambridge Airport, where the land systems company is still based, with thousands of homes set to be built on the site.

It sold land for the Marleigh estate, developed with The Hill Group, and it owns about 460 acres (186 hectares) at Cambridge Airport.

The Marshall Group said last month it was considering selling the rest of the business, including Marshall Aerospace.

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