Fowlers of Bristol (Engineers) Ltd originated from a motorcycle business established by Frank Fowler in 1918. During the Second World War, the company was requested to manufacture parts in support of the war effort, leading it to diversify into engineering and develop capabilities beyond its original business activities. This diversification proved successful and laid the foundation for a dedicated engineering business that would continue to grow and evolve in the decades that followed.

From 1950 to 2015, the engineering operation was based at premises in Montpelier, Bristol. In 1961, the engineering business was incorporated as a private limited company, separate from the motorcycle business, although ownership remains mostly with the Fowler family.

Between the 1960s and the early 1990s, the business established strong relationships with key organisations within the regional aerospace sector, most notably the Dowty Engineering Group and Rolls-Royce. In addition, the company supplied a number of important commercial customers, including Rank Xerox.

From the early to mid-1990s through to the present day, the company has maintained a strong presence within the aerospace industry while also securing major customers across the defence sector. Today, these two sectors account for over 90% of the company’s turnover, with the remaining business generated from commercial, automotive, and industrial markets, including a proprietary range of metal hanging systems for PVC strip curtains and doors.

This diverse customer base ensures the company is not overly reliant on any single customer or industry sector, providing an important degree of stability and resilience against market fluctuations.

Until 2015, Fowlers was based at its long-standing site in Montpelier, Bristol. At first glance, the premises resembled something out of Mary Poppins – modest and unassuming from the outside. However, once inside, it quickly became apparent that the building was far larger than it first appeared. The factory was made up of several departments spread across different areas, creating a maze-like layout that had evolved over many years. While the site was not always organised to its full potential, it served the business well and played a significant role in supporting Fowlers’ growth and success over the decades

Fowlers relocated to a modern, brighter, and more spacious facility in Avonmouth in May 2015. The building was initially an empty shell, providing a unique opportunity to design and implement a layout tailored specifically to our workflow and production processes. This has resulted in significant improvements in efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

The relocation was a major undertaking for the business, having operated from our previous premises for over 50 years. Through the hard work, commitment, and teamwork of both the Directors and employees, the transition was completed successfully. The dedication shown throughout this challenging period has positioned Fowlers to focus fully on delivering exceptional service, quality products, and exceeding customer expectations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fowlers worked hard to diversify and expand into new sectors. A key focus was the Nuclear and Renewable Energy markets, both of which continue to experience significant growth as the demand for sustainable and reliable energy sources increases. We are proud to have successfully secured several new customers within these industries and are making excellent progress towards achieving our F4N (Fit For Nuclear) accreditation, further strengthening our position within this highly regulated and strategically important sector.