MP Angela Smith and VIPs visit defence firm Selex's new HQ (From Echo)

MP Angela Smith and VIPs visit defence firm Selex's new HQ

7:10am Monday 15th December 2008 in

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A FIRM which builds hi-tech equipment for the British military has officially opened a new south Essex headquarters.

Selex Communications, a firm which supplies equipment to the Ministry of Defence, Govern-ment agencies and businesses, invited Basildon MP Angela Smith and guests to visit its new HQ in the town.

Products on display included the Guardian, a gadget which blocks radio detonation signals sent to roadside bombs and a radio headset system used by combat troops.

The firm has moved all 380 of its employees from one of the old Marconi sites in Chelmsford to Christopher Martin Road, Basildon.

Mrs Smith said: “This is such an important development for Basildon, because it brings in high-value jobs to our local economy.”

Guest of honour was James Arbuthnot, who chairs the Commons Select Committee on Defence, who did the honours at the official opening. He commented to the gathering: “A place like this is filled to the gills with boys’ toys. What’s not to like?”

Manufacturing companies such as Selex had a big role to play in getting the country through the economic downturn, he added.

Sir Kevin Tebbit, former director of the GCHQ communications centre, is also chairman of Finmeccanica in the UK.

He said the firm’s work had become more important than ever as the threat from terrorism increased. Sir Kevin added: “These products are going to be essential to keeping us ahead and enabling us to protect ourselves.”

Roger Frith, 50, the firm’s head of product engineering, has moved with the company from Chelmsford.

His job is to assemble, integrate and test the equipment.

He said: “I’m pleased to be here. It’s very smart and a much better place to work in. It’s more conducive to good work. We have recruited new people from all around Essex.”