From spacecraft and cars to robotic surgery tools and solar panels, Piran Advanced Composites works across a broad spectrum of sectors to deliver the high-performance, lightweight composite components needed to make these systems and devices excel. As the only company in Cornwall working with prepreg carbon fibre on advanced aerospace projects, they’re not just building composite structures – they’re helping to build Cornwall’s industrial future.
Piran Advanced Composites is a UK-based, global-serving specialist providing complete solutions for high-performance composite structures. From initial concept and design through to tooling, manufacturing, assembly, and inspection, they support the full development cycle. Their work spans aerospace, space, defence, automotive, motorsport, medical, renewables, marine, and technology sectors, serving major Original Equipment Manufacturers as both Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.
Their facilities are designed to handle complexity at scale – from ultra-lightweight carbon fibre aerostructures and UAV wings with spans up to 35 metres, to high-volume aircraft interior components. They work with industry leaders including BAE Systems, Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Bombardier, and many more, delivering the precision and reliability these demanding partnerships require.
Piran’s workforce brings technical expertise and specialist skills rarely found in Cornwall or the wider South West. So the team found a solution: in March 2024, they partnered with Truro & Penwith College to propose Cornwall’s first-ever Composite Technician Apprenticeship. By June, the programme was approved. Within a month, they welcomed their first cohort of eight apprentices.
Today, 14 enthusiastic apprentices are building careers in advanced composites right here in Cornwall. The programme is built on true collaboration: Piran delivers 50% of the training in-house, while the college provides the remaining half. This initiative represents more than workforce development – it’s community investment. By training local talent, Piran provides funding for local colleges and creates valuable career opportunities for Cornwall residents. They’re proving that young people can access meaningful, high-skill careers without leaving the region, helping to retain the talent Cornwall needs to thrive.
Beyond technical training, Piran invests in developing their entire team. Staff members have undertaken niche specialist training, and their Financial Controller recently started a Level 3 CIPD qualification in HR – demonstrating a commitment to growth across all aspects of the business.
Through investment in training, apprenticeships, and professional development, Piran is building a future-ready workforce that not only supports the region’s economic growth but also positions Cornwall as a serious player in advanced manufacturing.
Operating an advanced aerospace composites business in Cornwall isn’t easy. The location and highly specialised nature of the work present real challenges. The skills gap is undeniable, recruiting locally can be difficult, and training from the ground up takes time and commitment.
But this is home. Rather than relocating to traditional industrial hubs, Piran has chosen to invest right here – to build their business, nurture local skills, and create meaningful careers for people in their community. They’re proving that world-class innovation and craftsmanship can thrive far from established aerospace centres. Cornwall deserves opportunities to grow its own advanced manufacturing and aerospace talent, and Piran is making that happen.
The Cornwall Space Cluster amplifies this vision. Being part of the cluster places Piran at the heart of a dynamic community all driving aerospace forward in Cornwall. This environment enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the collective building of something bigger than any single company; a connected community where ideas take flight and opportunities emerge for the next generation.
Piran’s ambitions continue to evolve as they grow, but the core vision remains clear; keep building on recent momentum while creating opportunities for people to learn, innovate, and take pride in producing world-class technology in Cornwall. By 2035, they aim to be recognised as one of the UK’s leading regional aerospace composite manufacturers – known not only for engineering excellence and advanced materials expertise, but for building skills, careers, and pride in Cornwall’s future.
Piran says their success will be measured not just in what they make, but in the opportunities they create and the community they help grow. As they strengthen their role within Cornwall’s emerging aerospace and space ecosystem, they’re working alongside cluster partners to shape a sustainable, high-skill future for the region.
What sets Piran apart is their ability to combine cutting-edge innovation with deep community investment. They’re bringing world-class aerospace manufacturing to a region not traditionally known for it, showing that with vision, collaboration, and commitment, high-value engineering can thrive in Cornwall.
With the right investment and visibility, Cornwall can play a pivotal role in ensuring the UK remains globally competitive in space, aerospace, and defence manufacturing.
Piran Advanced Composites is a member of the Cornwall Space Cluster, part of Cornwall’s growing advanced manufacturing ecosystem supporting the UK space sector. Learn more about Cornwall’s space capabilities and meet the cluster at Space Tech Expo Bremen.
