About David Brown Defence
David Brown Defence (DB Defence) has played a pivotal role in developing bespoke land and marine gear systems for the defence industry for more than 100 years. Based at our iconic factory in West Yorkshire, which was purpose built by our founder, David Brown Snr, in 1902.
Since that time, we have invested millions of pounds into the facility, transforming it into the state-of-the-art manufacturing site it is today. Whilst proudly preserving our historic main building, which still bears the original ‘1902’ stone laid by David Brown Snr at Park Works.
what we do
Gear design & engineering for the Defence Industry
At DB Defence, our advanced gear technology and engineering expertise power critical applications across land and naval environments. With deep industry insight, we deliver mission-ready solutions that meet demanding requirements and keep operations moving.
Every gear system is built around a complete understanding of our customers’ operating conditions, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and long-term value. Global lifecycle support is delivered through local proximity, responsive service teams, and trusted relationships. So wherever you operate, DB Defence can support you.
A Rich Heritage
DB Defence is part of David Brown Santasalo, a global group of companies engineering, manufacturing and supporting industrial gearboxes for industries including paper, oil, gas, mining, minerals, marine and port operations, and rail. Our roots trace back to the 1860s, when we began as a pattern-making concern specialising in gearwheel patterns for cast gears, and we have a proud history of production in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in the UK.
In 1914, we became a strategic supplier of marine gears to the World War I effort. Between 1939 and 1945, we produced over 10,000 tank transmissions for World War II. We were also the sole supplier of gears for the renowned Spitfire fighter plane during the Battle of Britain. Always at the forefront of innovation, David Brown provided the gearbox for the conversion of HMS Exmouth in 1968, the first major warship to use gas turbine propulsion.
COMMITTING TO THE SBTi
In October 2021 the David Brown Santasalo Group, which includes DB Defence, committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), meaning that we will be cutting carbon emissions associated with our business in line with the Paris Agreement and halving our emissions by 2030. This commitment is an essential part of our overall Environmental Social Governance framework and an extension of our previous commitments to environmental improvements and resource efficiency.
OUR INVESTORS
As part of the David Brown Santasalo Group, DB Defence is majority owned by a private investment fund, managed by Stellex Capital Management LLC. Stellex Capital is a private equity firm that invests in middle‐market companies in Europe and North America.
ACCREDITATIONS
Our manufacturing facility in Huddersfield, UK is ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety) accreditated. We have highly qualified service experts ready to support you wherever you are and whenever you need us.
CAREERS
At DB Defence, we're proud to invest in the engineers of tomorrow. From apprenticeships to specialist roles, our team works on some of the world's most advance defence systems. With hands-on experience, real world impact, and a legacy of innovation behind every project. Explore careers with us.