By Ben Griffiths

PUBLISHED: 17:27 EST, 24 February 2014 | UPDATED: 17:27 EST, 24 February 2014

Britains leading independent aerospace and defence company, which is more than a century old, tells the Mails Ben Griffiths how it is now facing one of its toughest battles yet.

A stone's throw from world-renowned Cambridge University and based in an art deco headquarters building that reflects its heritage, Britains leading independent aerospace and defence company is quietly going about its business.

Despite being well known in the industry, Marshall has never been one to bang its own drum publicly. But that is slowly changing as the company looks to secure its future in a climate of declining defence budgets.

Loyal workforce: Some go on to notch up 40 or even 50-year careers, leading to Marshall being likened to one of Britain's closest examples of a German-style 'Mittelstand'

The story of Marshall of Cambridge dates back to 1909 when it was founded as a chauffeur-drive firm by David Marshall, who joined the kitchen staff at Trinity College aged just 14 before setting up a small garage.

Today Marshall remains one of the countrys biggest independent motor dealers. But its expansion into aviation and engineering is what put it on the map.

The company started teaching people to fly in 1929 after Arthur Marshall, son of David, got his wings in 1927 and joined his father in the family business, having gained an engineering degree at the nearby university. He bought a Gipsy Moth on a whim and it was spotted in a field by pioneering aviator Sir Alan Cobham, who happened to be flying overhead.

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Aerospace firm Marshall remains not for sale despite declining defence budgets