Wind win for David Brown

DAVID Brown, the Yorkshire gear systems business, has won a multi-million pound contract to work on the next generation of offshore wind turbines.

The company, which is to build new office space and a research centre in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, has tied up the partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries, based in South Korea.

The contract will see David Brown design, develop and manufacture a new wind turbine gearbox which the company believes could be used by other operators globally.

Ian Farquhar, managing director wind energy at David Brown, said: “This is the first step in a long-term collaboration and we are delighted that SHI has chosen us as its partner.

“Offshore wind is set to be a major renewable energy growth area and SHI’s commitment to develop its wind turbines alongside a major UK gear manufacturer signals a major boost to the UK supply chain, not only in terms of immediate supply partners but additionally, the wider opportunities that will develop as a result of the partnership.”

David Brown secured  £2m from the Regional Growth Fund last year to work with the University of Huddersfield on wind turbine technology.

Sungyong Han, executive vice president of wind turbine development and production at Samsung Heavy Industries, said: “Samsung Heavy Industries is delighted to be partnering with David Brown for the development of the gearbox for the new cutting edge offshore wind turbine.

“Renowned worldwide for its superior expertise in gear system technology with an outstanding re-cord and a history second to none, David Brown fortifies Samsung‘s confidence in the new off-shore wind turbine and its technology.”

Mr Farquhar added that David Brown was working to deliver and test prototypes.