About Reliance Precision
Our Story
Science and Technology - Engineered
We engineer resilient technologies for complex environments. From concept to production, we build resilience into critical components and sub-systems for the defence, space and life sciences markets.
Our purpose is to be recognised as a world class provider of engineering driven solutions, placing our customers at the heart of our thinking and actions
We aim to develop a clear understanding of our customers’ problem and with it, understand how solving it makes a difference.
From concept to capability demonstration, through prototype and into full-scale production, we leverage our complete NPDI and production processes – alongside our extensive experience and capabilities – to engineer, manufacture, and deliver the optimum solution.
Our principles are the values that underpin our vision and define our culture
- 1Do right by people
- 2Support each other and grow
- 3Think, make and progress
- 4Be proud to do the job right
- 5Build a company together that lasts
Our vision is to build a company together that lasts
Our history is how we got here
1920
The Reliance Gear Company Limited was incorporated in 1920. The business was founded by Mr Samuel Buckley Byrom and Ernest Edwin Law. Reliance was initially located on Union Street in central Huddersfield.
1930s
Early products included the Reliance washing machine, covered by a patent sealed in 1936 during the short reign of Edward VIII and The Feedmaster – a machine that heated the pig food using steam, whilst also mixing it.
1940s
During the Second World War work became plentiful for Reliance. Female workers were employed, and a night shift was required to keep up with demand. By the end of the 1940s, Mr Law had retired at the age of 73 and Mr Byrom had sadly passed away.
1950s
The company was purchased by Mr Max Selka, who, together with his wife Jennifer, devoted the next sixty years to building Reliance into the organisation we see today. In 1959 Reliance moved from Union Street, Huddersfield to St. Helen’s Gate, Almondbury. The shield of St. Helen forms the basis of our corporate logo to this day.
1960s
The 1960s saw the introduction of the first Reliance catalogue of standard products, a contract from the Admiralty, the modular gearbox and the Indicon R (a closed loop analogue electro-mechanical machine tool read-out).
1970s
Reliance Precision Manufacturing (Ireland) Limited was set up specifically to make high accuracy, ground measuring racks needed by the machine tool industry. The company was incorporated in 1969, and after a period of employee training, it officially opened for business in 1973. Rack and pinion system produced by Reliance provides the positional feedback for the Jodrell Bank observatory radio telescope – still the third largest in the world today.
1980s
The 1980s saw the acquisition of Rowley Mills and the installation of a laminar flow cleanroom, enabling the manufacture and assembly of quadrupoles for the mass spectrometry industry.
1990s
The 1990s the first major extension to the Rowley Mills site was made and all UK operations were consolidated into this location.
2000s
In the 2000s, two major extensions were made to Rowley Mills, including an expansion of its clean and fine assembly facilities. In 2005 the company’s name was changed to Reliance Precision Limited to reflect more accurately the broader range of activities undertaken.
2010s
A new holding company, Reliance RG Limited, was established with a supervisory board of family shareholders. The business continued to invest in people, plant and technology to enable growth in new sectors such as satellites, bionic prosthetics and DNA analysis instruments. A new optical cleanroom was opened in 2010 and a new Life Science Assembly Facility opened in 2019.
2020s
In 2020, the company celebrated its centenary as well as 50 years in Ireland. In 2023 a new cleanroom for space assemblies was opened. We look forward to seeing what the next 100 years will bring. For more recent events, please see our news page.
Our history is how we got here
1920
The Reliance Gear Company Limited was incorporated in 1920. The business was founded by Mr Samuel Buckley Byrom and Ernest Edwin Law. Reliance was initially located on Union Street in central Huddersfield.
1930s
Early products included the Reliance washing machine, covered by a patent sealed in 1936 during the short reign of Edward VIII and The Feedmaster – a machine that heated the pig food using steam, whilst also mixing it.
1940s
During the Second World War work became plentiful for Reliance. Female workers were employed, and a night shift was required to keep up with demand. By the end of the 1940s, Mr Law had retired at the age of 73 and Mr Byrom had sadly passed away.
1950s
The company was purchased by Mr Max Selka, who, together with his wife Jennifer, devoted the next sixty years to building Reliance into the organisation we see today. In 1959 Reliance moved from Union Street, Huddersfield to St. Helen’s Gate, Almondbury. The shield of St. Helen forms the basis of our corporate logo to this day.
1960s
The 1960s saw the introduction of the first Reliance catalogue of standard products, a contract from the Admiralty, the modular gearbox and the Indicon R (a closed loop analogue electro-mechanical machine tool read-out).
1970s
Reliance Precision Manufacturing (Ireland) Limited was set up specifically to make high accuracy, ground measuring racks needed by the machine tool industry. The company was incorporated in 1969, and after a period of employee training, it officially opened for business in 1973. Rack and pinion system produced by Reliance provides the positional feedback for the Jodrell Bank observatory radio telescope – still the third largest in the world today.
1980s
The 1980s saw the acquisition of Rowley Mills and the installation of a laminar flow cleanroom, enabling the manufacture and assembly of quadrupoles for the mass spectrometry industry.
1990s
The 1990s the first major extension to the Rowley Mills site was made and all UK operations were consolidated into this location.
2000s
In the 2000s, two major extensions were made to Rowley Mills, including an expansion of its clean and fine assembly facilities. In 2005 the company’s name was changed to Reliance Precision Limited to reflect more accurately the broader range of activities undertaken.
2010s
A new holding company, Reliance RG Limited, was established with a supervisory board of family shareholders. The business continued to invest in people, plant and technology to enable growth in new sectors such as satellites, bionic prosthetics and DNA analysis instruments. A new optical cleanroom was opened in 2010 and a new Life Science Assembly Facility opened in 2019.
2020s
In 2020, the company celebrated its centenary as well as 50 years in Ireland. In 2023 a new cleanroom for space assemblies was opened. We look forward to seeing what the next 100 years will bring. For more recent events, please see our news page.
FAQs
When was the company founded?
Reliance was founded in 1920. You can find out more about the company’s history by browsing the timeline above.
Where is the company located?
We work globally but our head office is in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. We also have a manufacturing facility in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland called Reliance Precision Manufacturing (Ireland) Limited.
What markets does the company serve?
Reliance primarily serves the defence, space and life sciences markets.