History

Our story is one of innovation, passion and reliability

Senior Bird Bellows was established in 1975 as a family run operation serving the petro-chemical and gas industries. Since then we have evolved to become one of the industry leaders in pressure duct systems & flexible joints.

1975

  • Company was founded by Philip Bird.
  • First order received on 12th September from Davy Ashmore for a 400mm and an 800mm Pressure Balanced Unit.

1976

  • First valve order was received from Crosby Valves on 9th March and was for 63 off ‘Q’ orifice valves.

1989

  • Vibreakers to Airbus Germany.

1994

  • Gimbals to Airbus Germany and France – key factor in A320 / A330 efficiency improvement initiative (zero leakage and low weight).

1998

  • Gimbals and Vibreakers to Airbus UK.

1999

  • GE / Dresser – Global Supply Contract awarded.
  • Acquired by Senior plc.
  • Annual sales at acquisition £5.8M.

2001

  • Pentair / Tyco – Global Supply Contract awarded.

2003

  • Developed full range of flexible joints for A380 – meeting key weight reduction targets for large diameter components.
  • CWFC Farris Engineering – Global Supply Contract awarded.

2004

  • ISO 9001 Achieved.

2005

  • VMI implemented at Airbus Broughton.

2006

  • Embraer – First purchase orders for E170/175 Anti Ice Ducts.

2007

  • Embraer – Phenom 300 Telescopic Duct and Piccolo Tube package award.
  • Developed full range of flexible joints for A400M – including bespoke products such as the Fuel Vent Duct.
  • VMI implementation with Airbus Toulouse and St. Nazaire.
  • £15.1M in annual sales.

2008

  • ISO14001 Achieved.

2010

  • Embraer – Legacy 450/500 Ball Joints package award.

2012

  • Full range of flexible joints for A350 – development of proven designs to meet Airbus enhanced capability requirements.
  • Embraer – KC-390 Telescopic Duct package award.

2013

  • Embraer – KC-390 Ball Joints and Bellows package award.
  • Embraer – E-Jet E2 Telescopic Duct package award.
  • VMI Implementation with GKN and Stelia Aerospace.

2015

  • Bespoke flexible joints for A350 and A330neo pylon – SABB engineering design support to meet demanding lead time and specification.

2016

  • Started specialised products division.

2018

  • Increased facility to 100,000 sq. ft.

2019

  • Increased annual sales to £34m.

2020

  • Carbon neutral goal in our strategy.

2021

  • Demonstrated resilience throughout the Covid Pandemic.

2022

  • Hydrogen related product testing at very low temperatures.

2023

  • Innovation of the Year Award from Cheshire East Chamber of Commerce for work on use of Cobots.