History of Armstrong Works From 1847

HISTORY:

Armstrong Works has an extensive history with significant contribution to engineering thanks to William George Armstrong – not only in the North East of England but also throughout the UK and across the global defence industry. From the mid-1800s to today, the Armstrong Works site has continued to provide engineering, manufacturing and assembly capabilities to major UK defence programmes and armed forces across the world.

Learn more about the key dates of Armstrong Works in the timeline below.

1847

Engineering Career Begins...

William George Armstrong began his career in engineering in Newcastle upon Tyne.
1876

Newcastle Swing Bridge Opens

Armstrong’s expertise in hydraulics and bridge construction led to him leading on the design and build of Newcastle's Swing Bridge which opened in 1876.
1890

Ship Building

Following the opening of the Newcastle Swing Bridge, Armstrong could supply fully-ready naval ships where every component from the engines and hulls to the armour and guns, was manufactured in his factories and yards on the banks of the River Tyne.
1897

Merging of Businesses

Armstrong merged his business with a former rival and great Victorian engineer, Sir Joseph Whitworth. The company was renamed Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth & Co Ltd. They procured the Scotswood Road site.
1904

Another Inventor Joins Armstrong-Whitworth

Major Walter Gordon Wilson joined Armstrong-Whitworth to lead the design of motor cars. Walter Wilson was a mechanical engineer and inventor who invented the armoured gun tractor which was acknowledged as one of the earliest armoured fighting vehicles.
1914 to 1918

WW1

Armstrong-Whitworth housed the largest output of military products between August 1914 and November 1918. 78,000 employees came together to produce 102 tanks, over 13,000 guns, 14.5 million shell cases and 47 warships.
1919

Construction and Supply of Locomotives Begins

Construction and supply of steam and diesel locomotives through to 1936. More than 1,250 were produced at Scotswood Road. and the tracks are still visible to this day.
1923

UK Government Tank Department Closes

UK government closed their tank department, leaving Vickers as the only organisation in Britain undertaking tank design and development.
1932

Extensive Gun Production

Vickers-Armstrong produced nearly 20,000 machine and gas operated guns between September 1932 and the end of 1940.
1939 to 1945

WW2

Over 8,000 tanks were produced during WW2. By 1940. Vickers-Armstrong was producing seven types of tracked armoured vehicles.
1962

Production of Centurion Complete

Production of Centurion completes: 1,437 Main Battle Tanks for the UK, 345 Armoured Recovery Vehicle for the UK and 2,500 exported.
1977

Heavily Dependent on Tank Orders

Nationalisation of shipbuilding and aerospace industries reduced dramatically in 1977 therefore Vickers-Armstrong Ltd in Newcastle was heavily dependent on tank orders.
1980

New Logo Launched

The Armstrong name was no longer used by Vickers, and the new ‘V’ shaped logo was launched. Acquisition of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars also occurred in 1980.
1981

New Site Construction

Armstrong Works was designed as a single span building, a third of a mile long. This was the longest single span building in Europe at the time of build.
1982

Armstrong Works Offices Open

Armstrong Works offices opened in August 1982. They were officially opened by Field Marshall Bramall, Chief of Defence Staff.
1986

Landmark Year

Vickers won an MOD contract for Challenger 1 Armoured Repair and Recovery vehicle.
1990 to 2001

Challenger 2

From 1990 to 2001 the Challenger 2 was the first British Army Main Battle Tank to be developed and manufactured by a prime contractor (386 Main Battle Tanks and 13 Driver Training Tanks).
2002

Alvis Vickers Formed

Vickers Defence Systems was no longer considered part of Rolls-Royce PLC core business, and in 2002, the sale of Vickers Defence Systems to Alvis PLC was agreed. Alvis Vickers formed in October 2002 for a 2-year period.
2004

BAE Systems Lands Systems Formed

BAE Systems Lands System formed following the acquisition of Alvis Vickers. The famous Vickers name was dropped after 137 years.
2014

A Year of Events

Tank manufacturing paused at Armstrong Works, ending the world’s longest continuation of AFV manufacturing operations. Later this year, Reece Group acquired the Armstrong Works site. Responsive Engineering relocated from Team Valley and remain at the factory today.
2015

Pearson Engineering Relocates to Armstrong Works

Pearson Engineering joins Responsive Engineering at Armstrong Works where both companies work together to serve the defence community
2022

Challenger 3 Supply Chain Production Begins

Challenger 3 supply chain production begins with the first steel cut ceremony for the CR3 turret structures at Armstrong Works. The occasion is marked by Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, completed the acquisition of Pearson Engineering Ltd.
2024

Pearson Engineering Acquires Armstrong Works Building

Pearson Engineering acquired the historic Armstrong Works from its former owners in 2024. The acquisition furthers Pearson Engineering’s commitment to its roots in Newcastle upon Tyne where it has successfully built an internationally recognised brand, serving Armed Forces in more than 35 countries.