Penso is an independent consulting engineering firm, specializing in finite element analysis, mechanical design and virtual product development. 

We use state-of-the-art engineering software tools and we are a Value Added Reseller for BETA Systems. Our experience, coupled with our engineering knowledge, enable us to meet and exceed our clients complex engineering and manufacturing expectations. 

We provide CAE services to support stress, optimization, thermal loading, and dynamic analyses for a variety of industry sectors including Automotive, Defence, Aerospace and Energy.

Our designers are reminded daily of our Latin origins, Penso “to think, to weigh out, to consider”. 

As part of our engineering offering and consultancy services, we provide unique design solutions for variety of business sectors.

Our industrial designers are dedicated individuals with exceptional skills and proven record of accomplishment. 

Our distinct position of providing design with FEA and engineering feasibility ensures we back up our designers' blue-sky visions and we make their visions a reality. 

This approach ensures all of our designs are capable of being implemented due to the involvement of our multi-disciplinary teams.

Find out more about our CAD capabilities.

At Penso we have a vast amount of experience in developing complex electronic control systems through the use of our in-house Software and Hardware Design Team. 

We supply low volume, specialist electronic control units and wire harnesses for a variety of clients in the automotive and specialist vehicle sectors.

Our expert team of engineers are able to develop complex electronic controllers using 8, 16 and 32 bit microcontrollers. A wide variety of tools are employed with precision optimised control at the forefront of our thinking.

We provide support across:

>  Software development

>  ECU development

>  Embedded systems

>  Hardware

>  Wire harness prototype development

>  Low volume wiring looms manufacture

Within Penso, we provide design and engineering support for the complete vehicle interiors.

As a low volume vehicle interiors supplier and integrator, we continually focus on design and innovation.

Our capabilities include:

  > Styling and concept development

  > Design and engineering

  > Low volume manufacture

  > Assembly and system supply

  > Electrical and electronic system integration

We offer a diverse range of engineering services from accredited by TS: 16949  low volume manufacturing facility.  

We can provide low volume trim, overhead, carpet and cockpit systems.

When we develop a vehicle's exterior, we incorporate a wide variety of systems.  From A-Class Surfacing, lighting systems, sealing, sensor systems, to convertible roof kinematics, all of these form part of our engineering portfolio. 

As part of the process of exterior development, passenger and pedestrian safety features as a key design factor. As a result we facilitate all the upfront simulation, covering a variety of crash and pedestrian impact analysis early within the design cycle.

Our key distinction with the area of Trim Development is our ability to provide an integrated design approach, accredited to TS16949. We provide a complete turnkey design, build and supply chain service to complement and support our product development and engineering teams.

Penso`s trim division was originally set up to support our current in house vehicle build programmes.  However due to our expertise and craftsmanship we now provide Trim and Niche Vehicle Interiors to several of the major global OEM brands:

  >  SPYKER C8 AILERON SPYDER

  >  J.E. ENGINEERING 'ZULU' DEFENDER 

  >  MERCEDES-BENZ VITO-TAXI

Our team of master craftsmen, machinists and development engineers has developed show car interiors, complete seating modules, bespoke interiors, soft-top roof systems and one off special vehicle projects.

With our state-of the–art Gerber CAD CAM Cutting Machine we can cut all our materials precisely to original patterns at a top speed 1,27m per second. Supported by the machines' AccuNest programme we can nest your designs automatically, analyzing multiple solutions and select the best material utilization.

Penso has secure prototype and low volume manufacturing facilities. Our facilities can be used for complex roof system assemblies, one of functional prototypes and specialist application vehicles designed from a clean sheet of paper.

Our manufacturing team specialises in:

  > Electronic and electric system integration

  > Vehicle systems development

  > Final assembly

To complement our manufacturing abilities we also provide strategic consultancy, thus, our customers receive a complete first-class service.

To find out more about our niche vehicle manufacturing capabilities please visit Functional Prototypes, Electric/ Hybrid Vehicles and Custom Manufacture.

Penso has built an enviable reputation as a leading engineering consultancy.

Our unique sales proposition steams from integrated approach where our design is interlinked and often lead by our FEA and simulation teams. Our design engineers are vastly experienced and provide high quality solutions to your engineering issues.

Computer Aided Design an innovative engineering enabler and as our main competitive advantage. With our extensive expertise in this area, we can solve your most complex engineering problems through our knowledge, skill, creativity and intellectual capital.

Penso has been heavily involved in composite development since our inception.  We have supported many exciting automotive, industrial and sporting projects in recent years, including World Champions in F1, renewable wind energy technology and Gold Medal winning Olympic teams. We provide design and engineering consultancy specialising in carbon and including many other lightweight composites.

Our clients choose us as their complete one-stop shop solution, incorporating design, engineering, analysis, prototyping and the supply of production components.

With our in-depth involvement in composite FEA, our depth of knowledge, coupled with our network of specialist suppliers, we provide the highest level of composite engineering.

As a Value Added Reseller for Beta Systems CAE, we also supply and train many of the F1 teams with the ANSA pre-processing tool.

As part of our strategic development and at the request of our low volume client base, we have started to design, engineer and supply low volume convertible roof systems.

Penso has established itself as a leader in providing innovative solutions, developing low volume concept, small series production of soft-tops, and other innovative roof systems.

Our roof systems business is an integral part of our organisational development and we are geared to respond to the rapidly changing needs of the automotive industry with lean, low volume solutions.

Services included: 

  >  Design and process optimisation

  >  Functional Prototype development

  >  Workgroup planning

  >  3D tolerance simulation

  >  Kinematic analyses

  >  Low Volume Supply Chain management

At Penso we have developed a multitude of vehicle body structures for the automotive industry. Penso provide a fully integrated engineering approach to delivering lightweight vehicle structures in steel, aluminium, magnesium and carbon fibre reinforced plastics.

This provides our customers with both a generic and specific ability to apply lightweight materials throughout the vehicle’s architecture where they add maximum value.

Our unique design approach is second to none. As optimised FEA analysis is parto of our DNA, we constantly provide a design approach to the development of vehicle body structures.

Typical services include:

>  Frontal crash

>  Side crash

>  Rear impact

>  Door crush test

>  Roof crush test

>  Rollover

>  Numerical optimisations

At Penso we continuously expand our seating expertise and knowledge by focussing purley on the three most important factors; design, comfort and ergonomics.

We have developed several lightweight seats for the automotive and aerospace industries, incorporating new and advanced materials via low cost tooling routes. 

With our in-house trim department, we can provide upstream prototypes extremely early within the development cycle.

Penso can provide low volume and one off functional prototypes to our clients. 

Our experience in niche vehicle manufacture ensures we can assist with vehicle chassis, body-in-white, stretched vehicles, electronics and vehicle hardware. 

We have already proven our competence by continually supporting Mercedes-Benz and Fiat with low volume niche vehicle manufacturing.  Also, we have produced functional prototypes for Jaguar Land Rover, Spyker and Zytec.

Today’s market place rapidly changing  the way we use mobility.

In line with recent developments Penso has been involved in a series of high profile vehicle electrification projects.

The ‘E Vito taxi’, a prototype developed by a consortium including automotive engineering specialists Zytek and technology experts Penso, can transport up to 6 passengers in comfort over a range of 75 miles from a single six-hour full charge. It is licensed for use in London.

The vehicle, is powered by the innovative 70kW Zytek electric drive system, driving the front wheels through a custom designed Vocis/Graziano transmission. The vehicle not only generates zero tailpipe emissions but also very low noise pollution. 

The E Vito taxi programme has been part-funded by grant from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM). Their Niche Vehicle Research & Development Programme  brought together the necessary expertise from Zytek, Penso and fellow consortium members: Vocis/Graziano, Valence Technology and Mercedes Benz UK – which provided the Vito platform that underwent the electric transformation.

We provide contract manufacturing support across our broad range of services. In addition to our flexible, customer-focused approach, we are uniquely able to offer our clients synergies between low volume prototype runs to low volume production supply. All is complimented to our stringent in- house quality standards.

With our extensive in-house capabilities and robust supply chain we can supply a wide range of components from electronic control units, full vehicle interiors, prototype seats, to high performance carbon fibre structural parts.

One of our latest custom manufacture projects:

Penso has been involved in a recent project for Mercedes Benz. The objective was to develop the Vito Taxi for London. Two of the main requirements for this product to gain entry into London were:

 > wheelchair accessibility

 > and a 25 feet turning circle to enable U-turns to be made.

Due to our expertise, we continue to provide manufacturing and engineering support for the Vito Taxi.