invest north east england

Engineering & Production

Overview

Engineering & Production

Areas of Expertise

• Automotive Components

  With the Nissan works in Sunderland producing around one in every three cars made in the UK, the automotive components sector is one of the North East’s most important industries.

  At least 220 companies produce goods and services worth around £1 billion a year. They supply not only Nissan but also major earth-moving vehicle makers Komatsu and Caterpillar, as well as Smiths Electric Vehicles – the world’s leading producer of light electric commercial vans.

  Among the key first tier suppliers is TKA Tallent Chassis at Newton Aycliffe. It produces digitally designed structural and suspension products to a number of top automotive producers in the UK. And it is involved in joint ventures with American and Chinese companies.

  Another innovative firm with an international reputation is Miller Welding at Cramlington, which has designed and patented ‘quick coupler’ systems for industrial excavators. It now exports widely in Europe, Asia and North America.

  ComeSys, also at Cramlington, makes advanced electronic controls for passenger vehicles, trucks and excavators – developing systems to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

  Other prominent supply companies, noted for their advanced component design and development, include the GT Group in Peterlee, the Tanfield Group in County Durham, and global steering and braking systems manufacturer TRW which has three plants in the North East.

• Defence

  The North East defence industry is home to one of the UK’s most significant clusters of high-tech manufacturers of military vehicles, equipment and components.

  These supply the British Army and overseas governments as well as a growing range of international contractors.

  The third largest defence company in the world, BAE Systems, makes Challenger 2 tanks and the Scorpion and Terrier armoured vehicles at its plant in Newcastle, which has recently been given a £20 million refurbishment.

  At its factory in Birtley it has a £2 billion, 15-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to supply the armed forces with small arms and ammunition.

  Top international contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Thales have an important presence in the North East.

  There are a number of locally grown companies creating advanced technology products for the defence industry. These include:

  • Petards Joyce-Loebl in Gateshead, a producer of communications systems for land, sea and air use;
  • Parker Domnick Hunter, designer and maker of the world’s first chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection system;
  • Springwell Precision Engineering, in Washington, is a manufacturer of parts for the NLAW missile system.

  Around 200 firms are members of Northern Defence Industries, a business development company that matches the supply chain capabilities of North East producers with the global defence, security and aerospace industry.

• Aerospace

  The North East has a thriving number of cutting edge companies providing high-tech precision products and ‘engineering solutions’ for the global aerospace industry.

  One of the leading firms is CAV Aerospace in Consett which now has two important divisions at its North East business. Its aero structures unit designs and makes aircraft fabrications, sub-assemblies and components, while the other division creates ice protection systems for aircraft.

  Express Engineering, in Gateshead, is one of only nine companies worldwide to have ‘gold level’ supplier status with Lockheed Martin. It provides components, for example, for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jointly developed by Lockheed, Northrop Gruman and BAE Systems.

  Notable, too, is Darchem Engineering, located at the Durham Tees Valley Airport business development park. This company designs and makes lightweight insulation systems, airframe assemblies, energy absorbing systems and components for a growing number of major customers. Among these is Rolls-Royce, for whom it supplies parts for the BR 725 engine.

  And Ford Component Manufacturing in South Shields is providing components to BAE Systems for the Hawk project.

  The creation of the £3.3 million Newcastle Aviation Academy has created one of the best facilities of its kind in the country, at a purpose built centre at Newcastle Airport. This is part of the School of Applied Science at Newcastle College and its aim is to be an international recognised hub for aeronautics training.

Engineering & Production

Key Facts & Figures

Engineering & Production

Supporting Organisations

Supporting Organisations