Precision Engineering

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

Precision engineering is at the core of many UK manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, medical, and defence industries. From high-accuracy machining and micro-manufacturing to custom tooling and tight-tolerance assembly, precision engineering businesses are constantly tasked with delivering products that meet incredibly strict specifications.

However, consistently achieving this level of accuracy and performance is far from routine. Precision engineering projects often involve solving technical uncertainties — whether it’s improving machining techniques, developing specialist tooling, or overcoming material behaviour challenges. These activities can qualify for R&D tax relief if they go beyond known industry solutions to achieve scientific or technological advancements.

Here are some examples of qualifying activities in precision engineering:

Developing New Machining Techniques for Complex Geometries

Engineering bespoke manufacturing methods to achieve tight tolerances on complex or miniature parts where standard machining techniques are not sufficient.

Solving Challenges with Difficult-to-Machine Materials

Developing processes to machine or process materials such as titanium, hardened steels, or advanced composites without compromising tool life, surface finish, or dimensional accuracy.

Improving Surface Finishes or Material Properties

Researching and implementing new methods to achieve high-specification finishes or improved mechanical properties, such as reduced friction or increased fatigue resistance.

Engineering Custom Tooling and Fixtures

Designing and developing specialist tooling, jigs, or fixtures to enable the accurate manufacture or assembly of precision components, particularly when overcoming unique design or space constraints.

Advancing Metrology and Quality Control Systems

Developing or improving measurement systems, automated inspection technologies, or data analysis methods that ensure products consistently meet strict specifications.

Reducing Waste and Improving Process Efficiency

Engineering manufacturing processes that reduce material waste, energy consumption, or cycle times while maintaining or improving quality.

Overcoming Thermal, Mechanical, or Vibrational Stability Challenges

Solving problems related to thermal expansion, mechanical deformation, or vibration control that impact the accuracy or repeatability of precision manufacturing processes.

Meeting Sector-Specific Performance and Certification Requirements

Developing precision components or assemblies that meet UK and international standards for aerospace (e.g., AS9100), medical devices (e.g., ISO 13485), or automotive (e.g., IATF 16949).

If your precision engineering business is tackling these types of technical challenges, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief. This incentive helps UK manufacturers and engineers recover part of their development costs, supporting continued innovation in high-accuracy manufacturing and engineering.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.