Petards, the Team Valley-based security technology firm, has announced contract wins worth over £1.4 million, with directors citing strong customer confidence in its products. The AIM-listed company, which specializes in advanced security, communication, and surveillance systems, revealed that its subsidiary QRO Solutions (QRO) has received purchase orders totaling £500,000 for Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment and support.
QRO Solutions Secures £500,000 in Orders
QRO's first order, valued at £400,000, comes from an existing police force customer in the North of England. This is the first order under a previously announced four-year framework contract and includes two components: the supply, installation, and maintenance of roadside ANPR systems, and the supply of in-car Harrier Mini ANPR cameras. The second order, worth £100,000, is from a new overseas customer—the Government of Gibraltar—for ANPR equipment to support enhanced border security measures. Both orders are scheduled for delivery within the current financial year.
Petards Joyce-Loebl Adds £900,000 in Contracts
Another subsidiary, Petards Joyce-Loebl (PJL), has secured orders worth £900,000. PJL, which develops advanced communications, safety, and surveillance systems for rail and defence, received an order exceeding £500,000 for its eyeTrain systems, intended for retrofitting a customer's train fleet. This follows previous orders for the same fleet, with first deliveries later this year and project completion expected in 2027. Additionally, PJL secured a £400,000 order from a UK prime defence contractor for Petards safety equipment for military aerospace applications, to be completed this year.
Chairman Comments on Growth
Raschid Abdullah, chairman of Petards Group plc, said: “We believe that these new contracts demonstrate the confidence that existing and new customers have in the ability of QRO’s technologies to meet the exacting standards required for their high profile security and surveillance applications.” He added: “We are delighted to have secured both these contracts which add to Petards order book in support of its revenues for both the current and the next financial years. It was particularly pleasing to see another eyeTrain retrofit opportunity come to fruition following the improvement in trading seen at Petards Rail that was reported for 2025.”
Financial Performance
Petards' full-year results for 2025, published in April, showed a 24% increase in turnover to £14.9 million, with adjusted EBITDA more than doubling from £400,000 to £1 million. The company employs over 110 people at its Princesway base in Gateshead.
