British manufacturing startup opens first U.S. franchised factory in St. Ann
By Erik Siemers and Kate Marijolovic | St. Louis Business Journal | Apr 16, 2026
A British manufacturing startup that last month raised $50 million from investors to franchise manufacturing plants on Thursday announced the opening of its first U.S. franchised factory, located in St. Ann.
Isembard said the 3,800-square-foot facility at 7 International Plaza Ct. in St. Ann will owned by Jonathan Foster, a former cardiac surgery nurse who taught himself machining during the pandemic and grew a business, CF TechWorx, from a single machine in an unheated pole barn.
Founded in London in 2024, Isembard opened its U.S. headquarters in Carrollton, Texas, near Dallas, in February. The company owns six factories across the U.S. and United Kingdom.
Isembard factories — some of which the company owns, others which are franchised — manufacture precision parts for a variety of industries. The one owned by Foster is equipped to make components for customers in aerospace and defense, the company said in a news release.
Founded in London in 2024, the company was built to help small manufacturers operate more efficiently
According to Isembard, component manufacturing is a $1.89 billion market in which small operators account for 95% of production. But many of those companies are led by owners nearing retirement age.
Founded in London in 2024, the company was created to help small manufacturers operate and scale more efficiently. Its plants run on a proprietary AI-enabled software platform, MasonOS, which integrates functions from quoting and scheduling to quality control and delivery into an AI platform that automates and optimizes factory performance.
Its $50 million Series A round, led by New York-based venture capital firm Union Square Ventures, will finance a plan to open 25 new factories globally by the end of 2026.
The St. Ann facility is the first U.S. factory in that effort.
“Missouri is the next chapter in Isembard’s growth, with more to come,” Justin Baucum, Isenbard’s U.S. expansion lead, said in a news release. “There is enormous demand for defense, aerospace, and energy manufacturing in this country, but not enough well-equipped component factories to handle it. Our franchise model will help close that gap by giving people like Jonathan everything they need to build a world-class operation. We’re looking for Jonathans in every state, from sea to shining sea.”
Isembard said it expects plans to open an additional eight franchised factories in the U.S. this year.
Costs vary, but an initial investment to start an Isembard franchise is between about $236,000 and $405,000, according to the company.
