Everything You Need to Know About Cat O' Nine Engineering
Everything You Need to Know About Cat O' Nine Engineering
By Cat O' Nine Engineering
We get asked a lot of the same questions — by customers, by people finding us for the first time, by people deciding whether to trust a relatively new UK maker with their kit budget. Fair enough. Here's everything in one place.
Who are you?
Cat O' Nine Engineering is a UK-based precision CNC-machined camera and grip accessory company, run by a working 1st AC and a team of working grips. We design and machine every product ourselves, from concept through to the finished, hard-anodised part. Everything we sell is something we'd genuinely use on our own shooting days — because in most cases, we already do.
Where are you based?
We're registered and trading in the UK — our workshop is at Unit 8, Grey's Court, Kingsland Grange, Warrington WA1 4SG. Cat O' Nine Engineering Ltd is a registered UK company (Company No. 16599013) and VAT registered (No. 497596608).
Where do you manufacture?
All of our parts are CNC machined to our own designs and finished with hard black anodising. Everything is finished, quality checked and shipped from the UK. Nothing ships to you directly from overseas, and there are no import duties or customs surprises waiting at your door.
What materials do you use?
The vast majority of our range is machined from solid aluminium, we prefer the 6082 or the 7075 alloys. These alloys are strong but light-weight, which is great for camera and grip kit. Finished in hard black anodising (Type III). Hard anodising provides significantly greater abrasion and corrosion resistance than standard anodising — it's the right finish for kit that lives in a camera bag and gets handled daily on set. Specific material specs are listed on each product page where relevant.
How long does delivery take?
In-stock items are dispatched within 1 working day. Made-to-order items typically take 6–14 working days, and this lead time is always clearly stated on the relevant product page before you order. We ship via Royal Mail or DHL Express depending on the size and destination of your order, and we ship worldwide.
Do your prices include VAT?
All prices on our website are shown excluding VAT. The VAT-inclusive price is shown alongside it on every product page, and VAT is added automatically at checkout. We do this because most of our customers are buying for production or business use and need the ex-VAT figure for budgeting and invoicing.
What's your returns policy?
In line with UK consumer law, you can return most items within 14 days of delivery, provided they're unused, uninstalled, and in original condition. Faulty or incorrect items are replaced or refunded in full, including postage. Made-to-order items are non-returnable unless faulty. Full details are on our Returns page.
Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?
If you're ordering in volume — for a rental house, a production company, or a kit refresh — get in touch directly at info@catonineengineering.co.uk. We're happy to discuss bulk pricing on a case-by-case basis.
Can I request a custom part?
Yes. We have a background in solving specific rigging and mounting problems, and if you've got a particular issue you can't find a solution for, it's worth asking. Email us with details and we'll let you know if it's something we can help with.
Why should I trust a new UK maker over an established brand?
Honestly — that's your call to make, and we'd rather earn it than ask for it outright. What we'd say is this: everything we make comes from genuine, current, on-set experience. We're not a manufacturer guessing at what camera assistants and grips need. We are camera assistants and grips, solving our own problems first and sharing the solutions with everyone who has the same ones. Every part is precision machined, properly finished, and built to be relied on — because we rely on it ourselves.
Got a question we haven't answered?
Email us at info@catonineengineering.co.uk — we read and respond to everything personally.