Northern Trust secures air defence firm
OpenWorks Engineering has agreed a 10-year lease on 11,500 sq ft at the developer’s Regents Drive estate in Prudhoe, Northumberland.
Founded in 2015, OpenWorks is an engineering company that provides autonomous systems for surveillance and air defence applications. The business has a particular specialism in products for use in counter-drone systems, already used by the world’s leading defence authorities.
The firm’s Vision Autonomous Optics products are used in CUAS (counter-unmanned aircraft systems), air defence and long-range surveillance, sensing and tracking missions, providing maximum performance and cost-effectiveness for multi-role missions.
OpenWorks is also responsible for SkyWall Net Capture systems, billed as a unique low-collateral damage capability for physically stopping unmanned craft.
Chris Down, managing director of OpenWorks, said: “Our move to Regents Drive has proved to be a fantastic opportunity for OpenWorks on numerous levels.
“We have been able to consolidate our business in one, state-of-the-art site, which in turn has enabled business output to increase as well as undertaking an impressive recruitment drive.”
Regents Drive extends to 77,811 sq ft in seven units, located adjacent to the A695 Blaydon to Hexham road.
Barry Nelson, regional property director at Northern Trust, said: “I am delighted we have been able to facilitate OpenWorks Engineering’s occupational requirements, by providing the space they were looking for to allow for future expansion. I am pleased to welcome
them and their team to Regents Drive and look forward to watching their continued growth.”
Regents Drive is now fully occupied. Northern Trust owns further business space at the Low Prudhoe Industrial Estate in the area.
