PAT Testing in Derby

Renowned worldwide as the birthplace of modern industry, Derby and the surrounding areas were among the key centres of the Industrial Revolution. John Lombe & George Sorocold built Britain’s first water powered mill in 1717 in a building that still stands today, now used as the Museum of Making. A few miles up the road in Belper, Jedediah Strutt built and patented the Derby Rib and transformed the manufacturing of stockings in 1759.

The 19th Century saw Derby emerge as an engineering colossus, with James Fox exporting his lace making machines, heavily influenced by Strutt & inventor Sir Richard Arkwright, all over the world. The North Midland Railway was established in 1840 which eventually was swallowed up as part of British Rail. Derby’s rail industry is still evident today, with Alstom still building trains on the Litchurch Lane site.

The 20th Century brought Derby’s probably most well known industry to the area, when in 1907 Rolls-Royce announced a car & aircraft factory would open in the city. Today, over a century later, Rolls-Royce is the largest private employer in the area, both by turnover (£3+ bn/yr) and employees, with over 12,000 currently employed.

Into the 21st Century Derby’s history still plays a huge role in the region, with manufacturers such as Toyota & Eco-Bat sharing the top employers spots with train companies Alstom & Porterbrook, vehicle retailers Pentagon & Motorpoint and construction giants Bowmer + Kirkland, Bloor Investments & Avant Homes.