Our geographical focus: UK
Our UK companies
Karnell’s presence in the UK reflects our commitment to partnering with innovative, high-performing engineering and manufacturing companies, from precision engineering, aerospace manufacturing, industrial control systems, and healthcare technology — all driven by quality, reliability, and long-term growth.
Precision Engineering for Demanding Environments
Precision engineering company specializing in CNC milling and turning of small and complex components for demanding environments, based in Norwich, Norfolk.
Designing the Future of Control Rooms
Designs and manufactures premium consoles that are used to equip control rooms for a global customer base across multiple industries, including airports, industrial process control, broadcasting, security and infrastructure based in Aylesbury.
High-Performance Components for Aerospace and Motorsport
Precision engineering manufacturer with customers in aerospace, high-performance sports cars and motorsports based in Sittingbourne.
Innovation in Medical Plastic Solutions
Develops and supply reusable specialist plastic products used in hospital decontamination, surgery, and patient care, based in Warwick, Warwickshire.
Partner Story: NE Engineering
"Karnell has been true to their words and supported NE Engineering’s continued growth. The production space is now three times bigger, our headcount has increased by 20% and we have invested in three new machines."
Tell us about NE Engineering and its history:
NE Engineering Ltd is a British precision engineering company specializing in turning and milling of small components. The company was founded by Neil Ellis in Norwich in 2009 and specializes in turning and milling of small components. NE has developed into a reputable precision engineering company with customers across multiple sectors (e.g. subsea telecom, niche automotive, energy, food processing). The company has experienced rapid organic growth, driven by active new customer acquisition.
Why did you choose to sell the company?
We are still hungry and young (Neil born 1983 & Daniel born in 1989) and very confident that NE will experience strong growth over the coming years. After a few years of heavy investment, we thought a larger company could provide the necessary resources to scale the business beyond the current capacity. Further, we wanted to de-risk our wealth position by taking some money out and by diversifying our personal financial situation to be less dependent on the company. With young children at home, we were also aiming to spend a bit more time with the family.
What made you choose Karnell as the new owner?
We liked Karnell's long-term perspective and their promise to develop the company to the next phase of success. It also mattered that Karnell had acquired recently a similar business in the UK and owns a larger well-established precision engineering company in Finland and has therefore relevant industrial expertise. The long-term future of our staff was important part of our decision to sell shares in the business and the model Karnell offered was a great fit.
How has it been to work under Karnell's ownership?
Karnell has been true to their words and supported NE Engineering's continued growth. The production space is now three times bigger, our headcount has increased by 20% and we have invested in three new machines. Karnell gives its local companies high amount of autonomy and as long as we follow the joint business plan our day-to-day operations are exactly the same as before.
Website: neengineeringltd.com
Head office: Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Revenue: ~71 MSEK (2023)
Employees: 24
Production sites: 1
Year of acquisition: 2024