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Newcastle’s Shoreland Access contracted to provide ultrasonic testing capability

Newcastle-based Shoreland Access has announced it has been subcontracted to provide Non-destructive Testing capability as part of the Pearson Engineering Challenger 2 Structural Assessment Programme with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The project, which will be on-going for much of 2015, includes testing of up to 60 Challenger 2 hulls and is part of Shoreland Access’ strategy to expand further into the defence industry following recent successes.

The news follows successful completion of a similar sub-contracted project with UK MoD’s Defence Support Group (DSG) for Warrior Armoured Vehicle hulls.

Shoreland Access, which is a member of business development organisation NOF Energy, will develop a testing procedure with Pearson Engineering and will provide specialist Non-destructive testing capability to the company.

Shoreland Access, which is based at the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate, offers a range of testing and industry training services including conventional NDT methods, such as Ultrasonic, Magnetic Particle and Dye Penetrant Inspection, to more advanced forms such as Phased Array and Eddy Current.

The Challenger 2 has been in service with the British Army since 1998 and is considered one of the best tanks in the world.

The four-manned vehicle has a drive range of 550km and a top speed of 59km per hour. The vehicle has been a key part of operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq in recent times.

Pearson Engineering has a global reputation for designing and delivering Counter-IED, Counter-Mine, Combat Earth Moving, Route Proving and Assault Bridging equipment for Armoured Fighting Vehicles.

The company’s many years of experience in successfully designing, developing and delivering defence products combined with the acquisition of the Armstrong Works by its parent company Reece Group, provided a unique opportunity to supply complex manufacturing, repair and support services for defence assets such as armoured hulls, turrets, armour packs and military bridges.

The company won this MoD Prime Contract shortly after announcement of its new Assured Manufacturing capability and is now responsible for providing Structural Assessment, Inspection and NDT services to the British Army.

Director of Shoreland Access, Neil Cox, commenting on Pearson Engineering’s decision to award the project to the business, said: “This is a huge contract for Shoreland Access. It demonstrates that we are capable of providing key personnel with niche knowledge of the industry to support such an important project.

“It is a privilege to be one of a select few companies chosen by Pearson Engineering to provide support to their MoD programme.

“We work in many industry sectors, but the defence industry has extra meaning as myself and others within the business who have served in the military.”

Chief Executive of NOF Energy, George Rafferty, said: “The success of our members is built upon their ability to diversify and utilise transferable products, services and skills across multiple industries.

“The expertise Shoreland has developed and its ability to meet the exacting standards of the energy sector will set it in good stead for building its presence in the defence industry.”

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