Rishi Sunak has visited a Colburn company to see technology being developed to improve the safety and security of HGVs and other commercial vehicles.
The Richmond and Northallerton MP toured The Vehicle Group’s 27,000 sq ft headquarters, meeting employees working in research and development, engineering and manufacturing.
The Vehicle Group designs and manufactures vehicle-mounted cameras, safety and security equipment and telematics systems for commercial fleets from its Colburn base.
During the visit, Mr Sunak was shown how artificial intelligence is being incorporated into products including driver-assistance and vehicle-monitoring systems.
He also heard about the company’s use of 3D printing and rapid prototyping to develop products, as well as technology aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
The Vehicle Group says its Colburn facility brings research and development, production and testing together on one site. The company currently employs more than 75 people and says more than 30 per cent of its workforce are veterans, reservists or have close family links to the Armed Forces.
Its products are designed and manufactured in Britain and supplied to commercial vehicle operators in the UK and overseas.
Mr Sunak said: “It was fascinating to see the technology being developed here in Colburn and to meet the people behind the products being designed and manufactured here.
“The Vehicle Group shows what can be achieved when British engineering, manufacturing and innovation come together to solve practical problems.
“It was particularly encouraging to see the company creating skilled local jobs while developing products for customers here in the UK and around the world.”
Martin Perks, managing director at The Vehicle Group, said the visit had provided an opportunity to demonstrate the company’s technology and manufacturing operation.
“It was a pleasure to show Rishi our cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art facility here in Colburn,” he said.
“His enthusiasm for what he saw was a real boost for the whole team as we push forward with new innovations and international growth.”
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So that’s what they do! Congratulations to all.