DB Defence secures significant investment, which will lead to creation of 100 jobs in Huddersfield, UK
David Brown Defence (“DB Defence” or the “Company”), based in Huddersfield, United Kingdom, has secured a significant investment into the business from its parent group. The investment is a recognition of the vital role DB Defence plays in supporting critical defence systems of national importance to our nation and allies. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The multi-million pound investment will enhance DB Defence’s overall capability and capacity and lead to the creation of 100 new jobs in 2024/25 at the Company’s state-of-the-art design and manufacturing facility. It will help ensure vital contracts are completed on time and delivered to future schedules for many years to come. The gear systems for these extremely complex military platforms take years to engineer, manufacture, assemble and test and the investment will strengthen their ability to complete that work.
DB Defence has been integral to the development of bespoke land and marine gear systems for the defence industry for more than 100 years. It is the original designer and manufacturer of gear systems for military vehicles such as the Challenger 2, Titan and Trojan and CVR(T), and power transmission systems for maritime vessels such as the Type 26 Global Combat Ship. This highly sophisticated and complex manufacturing is crucial to the UK’s defence infrastructure.
Continued investment in the defence industry is crucial to our national security but in addition to this, it is also a significant contributor to the British economy. DB Defence currently employs more than 380 people at their Park Works facility in Huddersfield, which has been a notable employer to the region since 1860 when the David Brown business first opened its doors.
“The investment comes at a time when defence is crucial to our national security. The capital will continue to strengthen our capabilities at the Park Works manufacturing facility to enable us to deliver on our land and marine programmes both now and into the future.”
DB Defence is part of David Brown Santasalo, which is a group of global companies engineering, manufacturing and supporting industrial gearboxes for industries including paper, oil, gas, mining, minerals, marine and port operations and rail. The business can trace its roots back to the 1860s when it was founded as a pattern making concern, specialising in gearwheel patterns for cast gears, and has a proud history of production in Huddersfield.
Image L -R - David Brown Defence employees, Luke Lloyd (Fitter), Jack Harrison (Deputy Cell Leader).