David Brown gears up for growth

ENGINEERING company and gear technology expert David Brown has submitted detailed plans for a major new development as it looks to create jobs in the region.

The company, which employs 450 staff, is to transform a site in Mirfield which will both modernise and strengthen its UK operations.

Wayne Ball, general manager at David Brown’s UK facility, said: “David Brown traces its roots back to 1860 where it was founded in Huddersfield. Our leading product has always been gear systems – be they for use in mining, defence or oil and gas.

“In recent years, we have successfully expanded into new areas such as renewable energy including wind, solar energy as well as high-speed rail.

“Although we have a rich heritage we are looking to the future. As we expand, we feel very strongly that we should remain in the heart of the Kirklees community, creating new jobs and increasing investment in the local community.

“This is the only immediately available local site to meet our criteria, within the same travel to work area and it is central to David Brown’s future growth being realised.”

The planning application has been submitted to Kirkless Metropolitan Borough Council and follows consultation with stakeholders and a public exhibition in August.
 
The planned development comprises two state-of-the-art modern buildings consisting of a global centre of excellence for gear manufacture and a wind innovation centre, as well as office space for global support functions such as sales, communications, legal, finance and business unit personnel.
 
The site on Leeds Road, which already has planning consent for industrial use, is six miles away from David Brown’s site in Lockwood, Huddersfield, where the company has been headquartered for more than 100 years.

The development will allow the company to expand in a way not possible at one site and is also being driven by David Brown’s fast growth in new sectors like wind energy and high-speed rail and into new regions worldwide.
 
Construction on the 10-acre Mirfield site, which will employ more than 270 of the company’s staff, is set to begin in the second quarter of next year.

David Brown is planning the move in separate stages which is expected to reach completion by the third quarter of 2013.

The company’s site in Lockwood will gradually be reduced in size from 17 to six acres over the period.
 
The remaining part of the current site – Prospect Works – will be refurbished and updated for the rest of the team and be home to some of its engineering, testing, assembly and aftermarket services for industrial new build as well as its support functions.
 
Mike Dove, partner at Dove Haigh Phillips, property consultants to David Brown on the development, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for David Brown and great news for the West Yorkshire economy, which will successfully retain a world-class engineering company.

“The move to a state-of-the-art site at Mirfield will boost Mirfield’s profile and prosperity.

“These are challenging economic times for the north of England and David Brown’s decision to pledge their future to this region must be warmly welcomed. The fact that a global company like David Brown wants to remain in West Yorkshire is very positive news.”