Composites maker iCOMAT announces expansion into Swindon

A British manufacturer of advanced composite components, iCOMAT, was setting up in Swindon, Swindon24 reported on 17 March 2026. The move followed talks with Swindon North MP Will Stone and Swindon Borough Council's inward investment team.

iCOMAT was founded in 2019 as a spin-out from the University of Bristol. It makes carbon fibre parts designed to be lighter and stronger than traditional materials, used in aircraft, satellites, vehicles and autonomous platforms such as drones.

The company had received a £5 million grant from the UK Space Agency for composite materials for the UK space sector, the report said.

Mr Stone, who visited the firm's Gloucestershire headquarters the previous year, said: "I was blown away by the level of technology when I visited iCOMAT." He added: "It is no secret that I want Swindon to become the UK's hub for drone manufacturing."

Stuart Donovan-Holmes, iCOMAT's Head of Defence, said: "Swindon has quickly become a centre for companies developing the next generation of autonomous defence systems."

The leader of the council said: "I am delighted that iCOMAT is expanding into Swindon."

What was not yet known?

The report gave no timetable for the move, no site and no number of jobs, though it said the expansion would bring skilled work for local people. Mr Donovan-Holmes said the company wanted to work with engineering firms and help them move from prototype to production.

Source: Swindon24.