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Tyneside engineers hailed by Defence Minister for landmine and IED clearance work

Newcastle-based Pearson Engineering has been hailed by Defence Minister Philip Dunne MP after a visit to the firm’s Armstrong Works base on Scotswood Road.

The defence specialists, who are part of the Reece Group, are world leaders in counter-mine and counter-IED technology utilised in formerly war-torn areas around the globe, and have just signed a contract with the Indian Army to provide 41 Surface Mine Clearance Systems (SMCS).

Philip Dunne’s visit to the historic Armstrong Works site, former home of BAE Systems, saw the demonstration of a range of equipment at the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility which has recently undergone a £20m refurbishment.

Taking the opportunity to praise both the work of Pearson and the historic engineering lineage at the site, the minister also reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) target of 25% of procurement spending going to SMEs by 2020.

Mr Dunne, Minister of State for Defence Procurement, commented: “I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to visit this historic factory that has played such a prominent role in defence manufacturing since the time of Lord Armstrong.

“The facility is world-class and testament to the expert manufacturing skills and innovation that we have here in the UK and the North East, producing some of the best defence equipment in the world.

“We spend £4bn a year with small firms, and our new policy is a signal of our intent to do more to tap into the innovation of SMEs in our supply chain.

“This new approach will harness UK brainpower so that our Armed Forces get the best possible equipment, deliver better value for money, and boost exciting new companies.”

The visit comes after Pearson purchased the assets of landmine clearance business MineWolf AG, opening up a range of demining products and services already used by NGOs and police and civil defence forces worldwide.