Airframe Designs announces rebrand to AFD Systems

Blackpool based engineering and manufacturing specialist, Airframe Designs, has announced a strategic rebrand to AFD Systems.

The new name reflects the company’s evolution from a niche airframe design consultancy into a market-leading advanced engineering and manufacturing business, serving the worldwide aerospace and defence sectors, and other emerging industries.

Since launching in 2009, AFD Systems has successfully completed over 600 projects across a plethora of air, land and sea platforms.

The company employs over 30 specialists within modern headquarters at Blackpool Airport’s Enterprise Zone, with a customer base that includes BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Boeing, and Orbex.

Leaders said that the change was driven for the brand to better reflect the broader range of market leading services it offers and to embrace immediate and future opportunities within this expanded scope.

Jerrod Hartley, founder and chief executive, said: “While airframe engineering remains a core strength, we now offer a far broader range of support across systems integration, design, analysis and advanced manufacturing. 

“We also operate across multiple sectors, many of which do not identify with the term ‘airframe’. The new name is a natural evolution and better reflects who we are, what we do and where we are heading.”

Alongside the name change, AFD Systems has refreshed its brand identity and launched a new website.

Jerrod added: “As customers increasingly seek partners capable of integrating complex systems across multiple platforms, systems integration and high-integrity testing will play a central role in our development.

“It is often said, but we genuinely have an industry-leading team here, committed to innovation and excellence.

“Continued investment in our people, training and apprenticeships remains a priority for the business as we develop and add the skills needed to continue to help world-leading organisations solve complex engineering challenges.

“We are also continuing research into the safe and effective application of AI, alongside innovation in additive manufacturing technologies.”

In addition to supporting industry-leading customers in aerospace and defence, AFD Systems is increasingly operating in similar complex sectors including space, nuclear, rail, maritime, medical and motorsport.

Jerrod added: “Space is one of the UK’s most exciting growth sectors.

“We are partnering with a number of leading UK space organisations in this sector, while also deepening our involvement in the nuclear sector. Nuclear is a major growth area for the UK and one where we are well equipped to support safety-critical engineering.

“This is an exciting time for AFD Systems and for our people.”