Over a Century of British Engineering Excellence
From Henry Marles' original innovations to today's revival, Adwest represents unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and precision in automotive steering.
From a 1913 patent to the 2025 revival
1913 Marles patents the hour-glass cam and roller
Henry Marles patents the hour-glass cam and roller steering gear, establishing a new benchmark for precision British steering.
1920s-30s Marles becomes standard fitment on British marques
Marles steering gears become standard fitment on many British marques, noted for smooth control and reliability.
1947 Adwest Engineering founded in Reading
Adwest Engineering is established in Reading, Berkshire, to focus on advanced steering technology and mass production.
1950s-70s The Varamatic variable-ratio steering box
Adwest pioneers the Varamatic variable-ratio steering box, fitted to icons such as Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Land Rover.
1980s-90s Adwest gears exported to OEM programmes worldwide
Adwest steering gears gain worldwide recognition, with exports supporting OEM programmes in Europe, North America and Asia.
1990s Adwest becomes part of Magal Engineering
Adwest becomes part of Magal Engineering, continuing production in the UK while expanding to overseas markets.
2015 The last UK-built Defender leaves Solihull
The final UK-built Land Rover Defender leaves the Solihull line, marking the end of an era for Adwest steering boxes in continuous OE supply.
2016 The final Defender steering gear is assembled
The final Defender steering gear is assembled at the Magal factory, closing a 70-year run of supply.
2020 UK manufacturing shuts down
Adwest’s successor operations under Magal, Arlington and TMS shut down UK manufacturing, ending local production.
2025 BAM Engineering acquires the original tooling and drawings
BAM Engineering acquires the original Adwest tooling, drawings and supplier base, reviving Genuine OE-quality steering boxes for heritage and specialist applications.
Defender steering boxes produced to date
Years of engineering heritage
Authentic Revival
BAM Engineering hasn't just acquired the Adwest name – we've secured the original tool design, suppliers, manufacturing processes, and expertise that made these steering boxes legendary. Every component is manufactured to original equipment standards, using the same methods that built Britain's automotive reputation.
"As if the factory never shut."The commitment that drives our revival of the Adwest legacy
Original Tool Design
Authentic manufacturing equipment from the original Adwest factory
Proven Processes
The same manufacturing methods that created legendary reliability
Expert Knowledge
Decades of engineering expertise preserved and passed on
The original design authority
Adwest didn't just manufacture steering gears. It designed them.
The geometry, tolerances, materials, and control characteristics that defined Defender steering originated here, developed through decades of in-house engineering and OEM collaboration.
That design knowledge is the intellectual foundation of every genuine Adwest steering gear produced since. It is what allows original specification to be known, not guessed.
Why this matters for reconditioning
Because Adwest was the original designer of these steering systems, we can rebuild with certainty. The original specification is known before reconditioning begins. Geometry, interfaces, and performance intent are reference data, not assumptions derived from inspection alone.
Learn About Our Reconditioning Process