The Island business community

The Isle of Wight has built up an enviable reputation as a place of excellence and innovation in the fields of maritime and aerospace engineering and technology. Many world class companies such as British Aerospace Defence Systems, GKN Westland Aerospace, Britten-Norman and FBM Marine are based on the Island. The hovercraft was developed on the Isle of Wight, and Island built hovercraft are still operating in many parts of the world.

In recent years the Island has been successful at developing a cluster of businesses in the renewable energy and composites sectors such as SP Systems and Vestas Blades. The electronics industry is also represented on the Isle of Wight. In September 1997 Yokogawa Electric Company, a Japanese company, bought the Cowes based control systems and management software company Marex from GKN.

The Island also has many small and medium sized companies which manufacture products as diverse as fine glass and greetings cards. Cereal and vegetable crops are farmed extensively, and the Island is self sufficient in milk and fresh vegetables. The Island has also developed a thriving farmers' market and at least two Island companies have been recognised as Rick Stein food heroes. The Island also enjoys a lively art culture in which artists and craftsmen make a living from selling their art.

Company Profiles

X-Isle Sports X-Isle Sports offers watersports training on the Isle of Wight ...   Invaluable was the first company dedicated to providing impartial electronic information on antiques...   Tuplin over the last 25 years have manufactured packing for many diverse...   SP Systems is a dynamic and innovative supplier of advanced composite solutions...   Southern Co-op have launched a 'Local Flavours' range in several of their Island stores...   Small World Communications is a PR consultancy specialising in tourism, sport and leisure...   Axford Originals create unique and original watercolour paintings of your wedding venue...

The Isle of Wight Bacon Company Is a Rick Stein food hero...   Vestas Blades design and manufacture rotor blades and hubs...   Coleman's Farm The BBC has profiled Coleman's Farm on the Island.   Carisbrooke Shipping Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd based in Cowes owns...   Locallife is a complete on-line directory of local IOW information...   UrbanSealion the Island's largest stockist of Organic, Fairtrade, Food & Cosmetics...   King Textiles Limited supply durable, comfortable, quality work wear to Island businesses...

The advantages of the Island as a business location