Member Article

Recharged Wallsend electrical engineering firm sparks closer Network Rail ties

Budding business Barrier Electrical Engineering, a new division of Wallsend international coatings firm the Barrier Group, has secured accreditation from Network Rail to manufacture electrical products to be used on its projects.

Founded after the group acquired assets from A-Belco in November 2016, the new division is quickly carving a name for itself in the defence and rail industries after winning new contracts and taking on new staff.

Winning its first contract to provide Multiple Outlet Panels for BAE Systems, and having three Product Acceptance Certificates approved in just 12 weeks, the business now expects to enjoy further rail sector success.

The division has also created a number of new jobs following its launch, with a team of five engineers, which includes former A-Belco Project Engineer Matthew Gibbard, who lost his job when the company went into administration at the end of last year.

Utilising its expertise for other associated disciplines within the group, the acquired equipment and its skilled workforce, the division is now a specialist manufacturer of bespoke engineered solutions for industrial and rail applications, including switchgear and trackside electrical applications.

Steven Lee, Director of the Barrier Electrical Engineering division, said: “The investment in this new division has strengthened Barrier Group’s capabilities and allows us to enter new markets. When we set up this division we were grateful to the former Commercial Director of A Belco in helping us with insight into the processes and timescales involved to achieve accreditation with Network Rail.

“Matt and his team have proved to be a real asset to the business and the fact they managed to reduce the accreditation timescale so significantly speaks volumes for their industry knowledge, skill and work ethic”.

“Achieving Network Rail accreditation and winning a contract with BAE Systems represents excellent progress in a short period of short time. We will now be seeking to develop new products for Network Rail and propose enhanced design concepts for the existing portfolio of products”

Matthew Gibbard, Project Engineer, added: “Barrier Group has a prominent position as a North East business with a growing reputation for its new and innovative services and products.

“It’s great for us all to be able to build on the experience we gained at A-Belco and learn new skills and methodologies and for the team to be given an opportunity to fulfil its potential. We have really been made to feel part of the team at Barrier and its exciting contributing to this new venture.”