News · Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 30 Oct 2026 · UK Manufacturing

Acres Engineering boss named one of the country’s top 130 manufacturing leaders

Luke Parker, managing director of Acres Engineering, has been named one of Make UK's top 130 manufacturing leaders for his work championing engineering, apprenticeships, community engagement and talent development. The company, based in Melbourne, Derbyshire, has received prior recognition including a King's Award for Enterprise and the Manufacturing Impact award from Make UK. Over the past decade Acres Engineering has provided more than 100 apprenticeship and work placement opportunities while running educational events for local schoolchildren. The honours list also features leaders from Siemens, Toyota and Lush.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 24 Oct 2026 · Derbyshire Times

Derbyshire boss ‘honoured’ to be named among country’s top 130 manufacturing leaders

Luke Parker DL, managing director of Acres Engineering in Derbyshire, has been named one of Make UK's top 130 manufacturing leaders. The recognition honours his work championing engineering, apprenticeships, community engagement and talent development, alongside leaders from companies such as Siemens and Toyota. Acres Engineering, which employs around 30 people, has previously received a King's Award for Enterprise and Make UK's Manufacturing Impact award for its 'People's Pledge' and provision of over 100 apprenticeship and placement opportunities in the last decade. The initiative, launched in partnership with Barclays, celebrates individuals shaping the future of UK manufacturing.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 22 Oct 2026 · East Midlands Business Link

Derbyshire boss named amongst country’s top 130 manufacturing leaders - East Midlands Business Link

Luke Parker DL, managing director of Acres Engineering in South Derbyshire, has been named one of Make UK's top 130 manufacturing leaders. The list, launched in partnership with Barclays, recognises individuals for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to shaping the future of UK manufacturing. Parker was recognised for his work championing engineering, apprenticeships, community engagement, and talent development, including hosting school visits and supporting armed forces veterans. Acres Engineering has provided over 100 apprenticeship and placement opportunities in the last decade.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 10 Jul 2026 · UK Manufacturing

Acres Engineering delivers first batch of products supporting RBSL’s new armoured Boxer vehicles - UK Manufacturing

Acres Engineering has delivered its first batch of specially designed, safety-critical products including an engine stand and driver's hatch trolley to support production of the Boxer armoured vehicles for the British Army by prime contractor RBSL. The Derbyshire manufacturer, which has a long-standing relationship with RBSL, is expanding its defence-related work and holds both King's Award for Enterprise and Armed Forces Gold Covenant status. The Boxer programme relies heavily on UK suppliers, with around 75% of each vehicle sourced domestically, supporting over 100 suppliers and 1,000 skilled jobs. Managing Director Luke Parker and a representative from RBSL expressed pride in the collaboration and its contribution to UK defence capabilities.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 6 Jul 2026 · Insider Media Ltd

Acres Engineering supports production of Boxer armoured vehicle - Insider Media

Acres Engineering has delivered its first safety-critical products, including an engine stand and driver's hatch trolley, to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land to support increased production of the Boxer armoured vehicle for the British Army. The Derbyshire-based manufacturer, which has collaborated with RBSL for several years, is expanding its defence sector work and holds the Armed Forces Gold Covenant. Both companies highlighted the advantages of Acres being a reliable British supplier, with ongoing discussions for additional projects related to the Boxer programme.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 23 Jun 2026 · Derbyshire Times

Derbyshire engineering firm unveils moving memorial to ‘forgotten’ WWII disaster

Acres Engineering, a metal fabrication company based in Melbourne, Derbyshire, designed and manufactured a special memorial to the sinking of HMT Lancastria in 1940, the UK’s worst maritime disaster in which an estimated 2,500 to 7,000 people died. The memorial was unveiled during Armed Forces Week in June in remembrance of those lost, including the great-uncle of Acres Engineering’s managing director Luke Parker. The event included speeches from Parker, local dignitaries and descendants of victims, and featured a march by Sea Cadets raising funds for the Royal British Legion. Acres Engineering, which holds Armed Forces Gold Covenant status and recently won a King’s Award for Enterprise, is now seeking a permanent public home for the memorial.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 9 Jun 2026 · City AM

Acres Engineering boosts UK industry with prestigious King’s Award win

Acres Engineering, a UK-based precision engineering and fabrication specialist serving sectors such as aerospace, defence, energy and automotive, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity. The company was recognised for its long-standing commitment to apprenticeships, STEM outreach, social mobility initiatives and professional development, having supported over 100 apprentices and provided employment pathways in skilled manufacturing. It also holds the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award and the Make UK National Manufacturing Impact Award. Acres continues to expand in high-growth areas including defence, hydrogen and nuclear while maintaining its focus on inclusive opportunity and engineering excellence.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 7 May 2026 · Brum Daily

Derbyshire Company Wins King's Award for Promoting Opportunity

Acres Engineering has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category for its long-running People’s First Pledge initiative. The Derbyshire-based engineering firm has delivered over 100 apprenticeships, outreach programmes, work experience and support for individuals from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds entering the metal fabrication sector. The award recognises the company's commitment to staff development, retention, and social mobility in an industry facing skills shortages. Acres is one of only 185 UK businesses to receive the honour this year and the sole Derbyshire recipient in its category.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 7 May 2026 · Industrial News

Acres Engineering wins King’s Award recognition - Industrial News

Acres Engineering received a King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category for its People’s First Pledge initiative. The Derbyshire-based manufacturer was recognised for creating engineering career pathways for individuals from disadvantaged, non-traditional, and under-represented backgrounds through apprenticeships, training, outreach programmes, and inclusive recruitment practices. The company has supported over 100 apprentices and emphasises staff development across various roles while addressing skills shortages in metal fabrication. As one of 186 UK organisations honoured in 2026, Acres Engineering will be able to use the award emblem for five years.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 18 Feb 2026 · UK Manufacturing

Acres Engineering “sets national benchmark” after winning prestigious national manufacturing award - UK Manufacturing

Acres Engineering won the Manufacturing Impact category at the MAKE UK National Manufacturing Awards for its 'People's Pledge' initiative, which provides work placements, apprenticeships, and career development opportunities for young people in engineering and manufacturing. The Derbyshire-based family firm, which employs around 30 staff, hosts hundreds of school children annually and supports community engagement, including through its Gold Award status under the Armed Forces Covenant. Judges praised the company for setting a national benchmark in using its influence to benefit the wider community. Several current apprentices and a former apprentice who progressed to team leader and a degree apprenticeship shared positive testimonials about their experiences at the firm.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 2 Feb 2026 · East Midlands Business Link

Derbyshire firm wins national Manufacturing Impact Award - East Midlands Business Link

Acres Engineering, a Derbyshire-based family manufacturing firm, won the Manufacturing Impact Award at the Make UK National Manufacturing Awards 2026. Judges highlighted the company's exceptional community engagement, work with children and adults, and its efforts to set industry benchmarks in culture, values, and positive influence beyond production. The award recognizes meaningful impact on people, skills, and the wider manufacturing community. Managing Director Luke Parker attributed the win to the team's culture and the support of clients and partners; the company has also recently contributed to HMS Victory preservation and parliamentary discussions on women in manufacturing.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 20 Oct 2025 · East Midlands Business Link

Derbyshire firm helps preserve national icon - East Midlands Business Link

Acres Engineering has supplied its StrongHold Trestles to support the masts and yards of HMS Victory during a major conservation project at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The Derbyshire-based firm also donated an additional set of trestles for the work, which is the most significant in the ship's 250-year history. Project lead rigger Stuart Sheldon praised the company's product and service, while Managing Director Luke Parker highlighted the honour of contributing to the preservation of this national icon. The news coincides with Trafalgar Day commemorations and follows the company's recent participation in an Ada Lovelace Day event promoting diversity in UK manufacturing.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 29 Sep 2025 · Derbyshire Times

Derbyshire engineering company opens up the shop floor to 170 young people on National Manufacturing Day

Acres Engineering hosted around 170 young people from eight schools and an army cadet group at its Melbourne facility for National Manufacturing Day. The visitors received a tour of the manufacturing processes from design to spray painting and participated in hands-on engineering activities including virtual welding, drone building, radio assembly, and tower construction. Managing Director Luke Parker emphasized the event's aim to inspire careers in engineering, promote social mobility through apprenticeships and work experience, and celebrate the UK manufacturing sector. Teachers and students provided positive feedback on the experience of seeing real-world engineering and manufacturing processes.

Acres Engineering