Secretary of State for Defence visits Pearson Engineering

The Minister’s visit to the region came as part of a tour to demonstrate commitment to the Ministry of Defence’s investment in the ‘Northern Powerhouse’, a Government initiative to back industry in the north, which is famed for its manufacturing, science and technology.

Pearson Engineering is a provider of equipment to counter land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and has been credited with saving many lives in recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In recent years the company was able to rapidly ramp up production of counter mine equipment in order to quickly meet Urgent Operational Requirements from the British Army and U.S. Armed Forces.

The Minister was shown some of the latest developments from Pearson Engineering, including PEROCC, a route opening, clearing and engineering capability designed to detect and defeat IEDs and to provide exceptional levels of protection, mobility and engineer support to route proving activities

The Minister also received a brief on Pearson Engineering’s recent experience in providing inspection services in support to the British Army’s fleet of Challenger 2 tanks, a project which brought the vehicles back to the Armstrong Works where they were initially built. This launched the company’s successful diversification to provide engineering services and manufacturing to the wider defence industry, the latter in collaboration with sister company, Responsive Engineering.

Acquisition of the Armstrong Works by parent company Reece Group, combined with Pearson Engineering’s defence experience and know-how, has retained an essential defence manufacturing capability in the UK. Managing Director, Craig Priday said “We are immensely pleased that the Minister took the time to visit us today. It was a great opportunity to brief him on our products and to showcase the capability of our talented team. We are proud to continue the long history of exceptional defence engineering and manufacture at Armstrong Works.”