JACOB UK Celebrates 25 Years of Growth, Innovation and Trusted Service

This year, JACOB UK marks 25 years as part of the internationally respected JACOB Group, a milestone that reflects a quarter-century of progress, partnership and commitment to British industry.

Strong Foundations, Local Expertise

Before joining the JACOB Group in 2001, the business operated as Modular Pipework and Ducting, already serving UK industry with specialist modular pipework solutions. That established expertise has provided the ideal platform for future growth.

What followed was a transformation from a small three-person operation, led by John West and supported by a 600m² warehouse, into a fully established subsidiary serving customers across the UK and Ireland. Today, from its headquarters in Church Stretton, Shropshire, JACOB UK supports customers through sales, technical guidance, warehousing, finance and marketing functions. The result is a business that combines local responsiveness with the backing of a global manufacturing leader.

25 Years of Progress

Over the last 25 years, JACOB UK has grown steadily while expanding both its capabilities and customer reach. What began as a modest UK operation has developed into a trusted partner for businesses across a broad range of sectors.

The company has strengthened its stockholding, broadened its service capability and continually adapted its offer to meet changing market demands. Yet despite that growth, the core objective has remained the same: to provide dependable, high-performance modular pipework systems supported by knowledgeable people and responsive service.

Engineering Innovation That Delivers

Innovation has long been central to the JACOB name, and customers in the UK continue to benefit from ongoing product development focused on installation speed, hygiene, safety and durability. Solutions such as the QUICK CONNECT pull-ring system have helped make installation faster and more secure, while specialist conductive and explosion-protection components support safer operations in demanding environments. The development of wear-resistant finishes and corrosion-resistant materials has also helped extend product life in harsh industrial settings. One of the most significant developments has been the FOOD GRADE range, designed to meet increasingly strict hygiene and compliance requirements in food, pharmaceutical and other sensitive production environments. As the first modular pipework system to comply with EC 1935/2004 and FDA requirements, it demonstrates JACOB’s ability to anticipate customer needs and respond with practical innovation.

Built for Modern Industry

Today, JACOB UK supplies solutions to a diverse customer base. Its systems are used in sectors ranging from grain handling, milling, pet food and baked goods production through to pharmaceuticals, recycling, biomass, chemicals and cleanroom environments.

The business is also seeing strong opportunities in emerging markets such as battery manufacturing and defence, where demand for high-quality engineered systems, technical assurance and reliable delivery continues to grow.

Why Customers Choose JACOB UK

In a competitive market, JACOB UK has built a reputation for offering something more than a standard pipework product. Customers value the combination of premium materials, engineering quality, technical support and dependable service.

Many competitors offer lower-grade alternatives that may appear similar at first glance, but customers quickly recognise the difference in durability, fit, finish and long-term performance. JACOB UK also supports projects with bespoke components, technical consulting and certification for high-specification applications where compliance is essential.

A Family Business with Global Strength

People remain at the heart of the JACOB brand. Founded by Friedrich Jacob and still family-run more than 100 years later, the wider Group combines heritage with a modern, forward-thinking culture centred on innovation and long-term thinking.

That same culture is reflected in the UK business, which has grown professionally over the last 25 years while retaining the close teamwork, practical attitude and customer focus that defined its early years. Customers benefit from the best of both worlds: the relationships and responsiveness of a local UK team, combined with the engineering depth, manufacturing capability and product development of an international group.

"Reaching 25 years is something we’re incredibly proud of. Milestones like this are really about people - the customers who have trusted us, the partners who have supported us and our team here in the UK whose hard work and commitment have helped shape the business over the years," said Kim Littleton, Managing Director at JACOB UK.

Proud to Be Part of Shropshire

JACOB UK’s Church Stretton base plays an important role in the company’s success. It enables responsive service, strong stock support and close customer contact, while giving the company a valued local identity.

The business supports the wider Shropshire community through employment, long-term careers, chamber membership, supplier partnerships and sponsorship of local schools and sports teams.

Looking Ahead to the Next 25 Years

As JACOB UK celebrates this important anniversary, the focus is firmly on the future. The ambition is to continue building on the foundations of the last quarter-century by growing sustainably, strengthening service capability, deepening customer relationships and bringing the latest JACOB innovations to customers across the UK and Ireland.

Above all, the company remains committed to being the trusted name customers turn to for quality, expertise and long-term reliability.

CEO of JACOB Group, Patrick Jacob, had this to add:

“For 25 years, JACOB UK has driven our successful development in the UK market and strengthened our international position. At JACOB, people always come first and I’m extremely proud of the dedicated and excellent team behind this achievement. I look forward to continuing this journey together for many years to come.”

Thank You

Celebrating 25 years in the JACOB Group is not only a moment to reflect with pride, it is also an opportunity to thank the customers, partners and colleagues who have made the journey possible.

With a dedicated team, collaborative partnerships with its customer base, a proven reputation and exciting opportunities ahead, JACOB UK is forward to the next chapter with confidence.