Ready to meet your precise engineering needs
Ashtead Engineering Company Limited (AEC) is a leading engineering company based in West Byfleet, Surrey, that manufactures high-precision components and sub and full assemblies for a wide range of industries, including the aerospace, automotive, defence, medical and oil and gas sectors.
Whatever your specific engineering needs are, we’re positive our high-quality, cost-saving machining services and innovative design and prototyping services can deliver the right solutions for you and your end customers.
At AEC, we also take great pride in offering an unbeatable customer service to our clients from London and the South East, the rest of the UK and overseas. From your first contact with us, we promise we’ll be on hand to answer your questions, provide expert advice and make your AEC experience as straightforward and enjoyable as possible.
Our vision and values
The vision for AEC is to be the leading provider of machining and design services in the South East and London region, known for our quality, expertise, innovation and customer service.
To achieve this, we remain loyal to set a of values that have been at the heart of our company since our foundation:
// Customer focus
We listen to our customers and understand what they need to be successful and our role in that success. We exceed customer expectations and develop long-standing partnerships.
// Boldness
We are ambitious for our customers and ourselves and focus on our shared success. We promote experimentation and creativity to enhance performance. We drive forward with energy and enthusiasm, and see obstacles as opportunities to learn.
// Integrity
We are honest and transparent with our customers and each other. We maintain high ethical standards. We do what we say we will do and conduct ourselves with professionalism and respect.
// Responsibility
Our employees take ownership of their work and responsibilities. We foster sound judgment, encouraging our staff to seek solutions, address questions, and resolve challenges effectively.
// Team spirit
Our people are our company’s most valuable assets. We value and care for each other. We are open to feedback from each other to improve our performance. We believe in a healthy balance between work and our lives.
Our team
// Nicholas Harvey
Director
// Matt Parry
Director
// Steven Rumsey
Production & Commercial Manager
// Mat Dean
Technical Manufacturing Engineer
// Janet Knighton
Accounts & Administration
// Usama Jamil
Strategic Development Manager
// Chris Boultwood
Chief Quality Inspector
// Graham Warren
Production Supervisor
// Peter Mills
Dispatch
Our History
For nearly 70 years, AEC Engineering has continually invested in its people and equipment to grow from a small family-run business to a leading engineering company in the South of England. Here’s our story:
1956
Doug Morrell and Martin Harvey (grandfather of current director Nick Harvey) establish Morrell and Harvey Engineering in Ashtead, Surrey. The company takes on subcontracting machining orders from local manufacturing companies.
1973
John Morrell (son of founder Doug Morrell) and Mike Harvey (son of founder Martin Harvey and father of current director Nick Harvey) purchase a small machining shop called Ashtead Engineering Company (AEC).
AEC works independently of Morrell and Harvey Engineering and expands into automated machines, centreless grinding and small batch machining.
1970s
Morrell and Harvey Engineering and Ashtead Engineering Company continue to invest in high-quality machines and expand as far as their premises permit.
1977
The directors of Morrell and Harvey Engineering and Ashtead Engineering Company purchase land in West Byfleet (14 miles from Ashtead) and start to build a new 10,000 square feet (930 square metres) factory.
1979
Morrell and Harvey Engineering moves into the new engineering factory in West Byfleet. The factory is run by the two fathers (Doug Morrell and Martin Harvey) and two sons (John Morrell and Mike Harvey).
Ashtead Engineering Company continues to operate out of its original premises in Ashtead.
1982
The machines and workforce of Ashtead Engineering Company are integrated into the factory in West Byfleet.
1980s and 1990s
Morrell and Harvey Engineering merges into Ashtead Engineering Company. The order book remains full and the business continues to expand. This includes investment in CNC machines that can achieve tighter tolerances than more traditional machines.
2003
Current director Nick Harvey (grandson of Martin and son of Mike) initially works for the family business in the school holidays. He joins AEC’s design and machining teams to gain valuable insight and experience.
2005
AEC Museum & Gallery Products is established as a new division of Ashtead Engineering Company. It focuses on designing and creating bespoke engineering solutions for art galleries, museums, stately homes and other public spaces.
2006
While at university, current director Matt Parry starts to work at Ashtead Engineering Company during his term breaks.
2012
Nick Harvey and Matt Parry join Ashtead Engineering Company as full-time employees.
2013
Current director Matthew Parry becomes the technical director at Ashtead Engineering Company.
2015
Nick Harvey and Matthew Parry lead on establishing AEC Film, Stunt & Theatre Products. The new division focuses on designing and creating bespoke engineering solutions for the film, stunt and theatre industries.
2018
Nick Harvey and Matthew Parry lead on establishing AEC Products. The new division focuses on manufacturing and supplying stanchions and guidance solutions to showrooms, retail environments, leisure spaces, museums and galleries.
2019
Nick Harvey and Matthew Parry become the directors of Ashtead Engineering Company.
2020 – Present
AEC makes significant investments to provide better value to its customers, improve employee working conditions and increase its sustainability credentials. Developments include 70% of machines replaced with new technology, a new roof, solar panels and LED lighting installed at our workshop and the building of a temperature-controlled inspection room.
Our certification
We’re proud to have ISO9001:2015 certification, which is an internationally recognised quality management system award.
This means you can rely on us to maintain the highest quality standards in everything we do, from how we operate on the shop floor to how our senior management supports our customers.
– Frank Clemmey, Frantronics Limited
Supply us with quality products every time, and the communication is very good, thank you. Always a pleasure to deal with.
– Frank Farman, Asylum Models and Effects Ltd.
Ashtead Engineering always delivers the high-quality bespoke components that we require, we have built up a solid working relationship over many years, they are easy to work with and strive to deliver first-rate service and products.
– Marco George, Ocado Technology
For a cutting-edge company that are more than capable of dealing with huge complex orders, they have not lost the personal touch with their customers. I found them thrilling to work with; and it’s clear the guys are masters of their trade. I can’t wait for them to bring my next idea to life.