At first sight it may seem strange that shortly after Martock-based SFM Technology was founded in 1986, the first product it developed was a novel device for harvesting cider apples.

 

Today, while it still produces solutions for fruit farmers across the UK, defence and allied industries dominate its client portfolio. According to director Keith Tridgell, this apparently dramatic shift in emphasis is the result of natural evolution as the company has grown and developed over the years.

 

He said: "In the early 1990s, we sought to diversify by finding work from other local companies. We began winning a number of contracts with Westland in Yeovil, designing and manufacturing aircraft production jigs and fixtures that first took us into the aerospace industry and we continue to supply Westland and a number of other aerospace clients."

 

This move also led to a significant change in SFM's focus, which means that today it is capable of providing what Keith calls "the complete design and production package."

 

He said: "We're equally at home undertaking turnkey projects, where we undertake every step from initial design through to manufacture, or producing small batches of equipment to a customer's design."

 

The diversity of the company's expertise is based on the wide-ranging skills of its 48-strong workforce, which includes experienced engineers, designers and other staff with backgrounds in a number of different industries.

Keith said: "The ability this gives us to pool information and ideas is what underpins our ability to provide engineering solutions to virtually any challenge faced by our customers."

 

So, while the company is successfully working with a who's who of international defence businesses, it is confident it has the capability to move into other areas.

 

What makes SFM Technology a Challenger business?

 

A highly skilled workforce, a commitment to "best practice" principles and a determination to build on its success by investing resources to open new markets.

 

Business Link adviser Roger Bacon said: "This is a truly outstanding business that uses its highly impressive range of in-house skills to provide solutions to some of the world's most technologically advanced companies."