REVOLVE LAUNCHED IN STYLE
By Julian Nettlefold
06 Dec 08. The Editor was privileged to be amongst those present at a glittering dinner hosted by the management of the new Revolve Company which named the new Company at the ceremony on the anniversary of the founding of the UK Roush Company 13 years ago.
An investor group bought out UK Essex-based defence, security and engineering services group, Roush Technologies Limited, from its US parent, Roush Industries, late last year. The change became effective on Monday 8th December, the company will be known as Revolve Technologies Limited. The name Revolve was chosen from a shortlist to communicate the forward evolution of the company as well as the nature and culture of its core business.
Announcing the change, Executive Chairman, Andrew Williams says, “At the time we acquired the business from Roush Industries, it was agreed that we would retain the trading name for a maximum of one year. The restructuring of the business, announced earlier this year, is largely complete. That process has established three clearly defined business units – Product Development, Performance Engineering and Consultancy Services – and provides significantly broader scope for growth and development.
“It is now appropriate and timely that we move on – and rebrand the organisation with a name which will enable us to promote the broader ambition and diversity of the business for the future. Our growing defence and security sector activities are now a key part of a Product Development Group, which brings together a fully integrated capability for design, vehicle and powertrain development, specialist project engineering and low volume production”, says Williams.
“Will you continue to develop your defence business?” The Editor asked John Mitchell, Managing Director of Revolve.
“Yes, we intend to focus on defence and security business as our investor group redefines and renames Roush European operations. We are looking at a number of key defence projects at the moment including developing our ROPS contract, won this year, worth £5 million to supply of over 1100 ESK (Enhanced Seating Kit) units to the MoD. This is scheduled for completion within a year, we hope to sell more, here and overseas.”
Concurrently, the outgoing Roush Technologies branded part of the organisation has concluded a range of changeover agreements with key OE customers, all of which were planned at the time of the acquisition. The new company will retain a formal co-operative agreement with Roush Industries in the US, covering joint ventures, collaborative projects – and service and support for existing Roush products.
Revolve Business Development Manager, Bill Waddell says, “The close integration of the company’s design, development and production activities has significantly strengthened our capabilities as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 partner of choice for a wide range of prime contractors. Indeed, there may well be some contracts where we are now able to prime the requirement ourselves. New and advanced technologies, such as hybrid drive, alternative fuels and composite materials, are now becoming increasingly important across the defence and security sectors – and these are amongst the areas where we can bring significant experience, added value and programme leadership”.
In addition, a number of strategic alliances are being established, specifically to re-establish the Group’s footprint in key EU markets. Revolve Technologies’ new website was launched this week – visit www.revolve.co.uk for full information.
When Roush won the order for the BOWMAN installation racking the Editor had never come across the Company and asked BOWMAN supreme Larry Johnson, a Canadian, for background to what he considered a small company! The Roush story below shows the true size and strength of Roush.
History of ROUSH
Roush’s childhood fascination with all things mechanical has since grown into a