Estonian Delegation Targets Manchester Partners in Defence and Engineering Sectors
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Loading... - Bianca Palumbo
- 10 Apr 2025
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A delegation of Estonian industrial technology and engineering companies is set to visit Manchester on April 15 to forge connections with UK industry and tech firms in the fields of advanced manufacturing, defence, automation, and digitalisation. This visit is part of a two-city UK trade mission aimed at exploring potential partnerships between Estonian and UK businesses.
The delegation presents an opportunity for companies across Greater Manchester to engage with Estonia, recognized as one of Europe’s most digitally advanced economies. Estonia boasts the highest number of unicorns per capita and has a rapidly growing tech-driven industrial sector.
Andreas Heikki Pant, export adviser at Trade Estonia in the UK, emphasized the potential for long-term cooperation, stating, “We see strong potential for long-term cooperation between Estonian and UK companies – especially in areas like defence, mobility, and automation. The Manchester area is a natural fit for our delegation, and we look forward to building partnerships that benefit both sides.”
Pant highlighted the success of Fractory, one of Estonia’s fastest-growing industrial tech companies, which has established its UK operations in Manchester. Fractory provides digital manufacturing services to over 10,000 clients in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and defence.
Co-hosted by the Estonian Embassy in London and Trade Estonia, the visit will include a networking reception where UK businesses can meet leaders from 10 export-ready Estonian companies active in engineering, robotics, smart manufacturing, and rugged computing. Several of these firms already collaborate with global industry leaders and are seeking deeper ties with the UK’s industrial and defence sectors.
The delegation includes companies that offer technologies suited for the defence and dual-use sectors, such as:
- FORECR: Rugged AI solutions
- 5.0 Robotics: Compact smart manufacturing solutions adaptable for defence prototyping
- TOCI: Mobility solutions and vehicle structures for defence applications (NATO AQAP 2110 certified)
Given Manchester's strengths in aerospace, AI, and innovation, it is seen as a natural partner for collaboration.
The visiting companies specialize in various areas, including:
- Precision engineering and component manufacturing
- Machine building, automation, and robotics
- ERP and smart factory software
- Rugged AI and defence technologies
- Industrial subcontracting and systems integration
The companies participating in the delegation include:
- 5.0 Robotics
- BLRT Masinaehitus
- FORECR
- Jalax
- MRPeasy
- Radius Machining
- Tech Group
- TOCI
- Torm Metall
- Wenture
- Federation of Estonian Engineering Industry (EML)
The networking reception will take place at the Alan Hotel in Manchester from 5-7 PM on April 15. This event aims to foster connections and explore collaborative opportunities between Estonian and UK companies in the defence and engineering sectors.
