Space and technology group OHB has announced the launch of a new UK subsidiary, marking a major milestone in its mission to shape the future of space technology and strengthen Europe’s space sector. The investment was secured through collaboration with Invest Bristol & Bath, working alongside Space West, the UK Space Agency (UKSA), and the Department for Business and Trade.
Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England Combined Authority, welcomed the investment, saying: “Today’s announcement means more high skilled jobs for local people – and that’s fantastic news. OHB SE setting up shop in the West of England is a big win for our region and a real rocket boost for our space industry. I’m really proud that they’ve chosen the Bristol & Bath Science Park as their UK base. We’re proving once again that this is the place to be for world-class innovation, job creation, and serious economic growth.”
Marco Fuchs, CEO, OHB, highlighted the strategic importance of the move: “I am truly glad that we have finally established a presence in one of Europe's key space markets. The Bristol region, with its high-tech cluster, provides a great environment for OHB to develop innovative and competitive space products and systems from the UK for the national and European markets.”
As a key player in European space and defence, OHB aims to strengthen collaboration with UK industries in the European Space Agency (ESA) environment and security-related space programmes, enhancing Europe's sovereignty and technological leadership in space.
The new Bristol-based company will develop critical expertise across all major space domains, including system-level capabilities. It will also expand existing partnerships, such as the collaboration between SaxaVord and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA).
Sarah Jones, UK Minister of Industry, officially announced the launch at Farnborough, stating: “I am pleased to make the official announcement that OHB SE has established an UK operation in Bristol which has become operational in February. It is a great indicator of the opportunity that a company such as OHB sees in the UK space sector. OHB plans to grow the company quickly in order to develop system capabilities in major space domains and I look forward to hearing more news about this development later today and over the coming months.”
