NORTH EAST COMPANY ASTRUM AWARDED MAJOR DEFENCE CONTRACT

Astrum based in County Durham has been awarded a contract to supply track systems for armoured fighting vehicles to the Ministry of Defence with the potential to be worth in the region of £60m.

The contract includes the supply of track systems for a range of vehicles including the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle, FV430 Bulldog and the CVR(T).

Astrum is a world leading designer and manufacturer of track systems and running gear for armoured fighting vehicles as well as a manufacturer of high integrity cast steel products.

“Winning this contract is a major boost for the business and is a well deserved reward for the hard work of all our employees”, said Managing Director, Phil Kite.

“Over the last few years we have continually demonstrated that we can deliver quality products, on time, at competitive prices. In 2009 this was recognised by Astrum being the first land systems business to win the prestigious ADS Supply Chain SC21 award to which the MoD is a formal signatory and BAE Systems was our sponsor. The award of this major contract was built on this success and the determination of the business to be the best at what we do.”

The award of the contract was announced by the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies MP, during a visit to Astrum on 26th February 2010.

Track systems used on armoured fighting vehicles provide greater mobility than wheels over rough terrains being less likely to get stuck in soft ground, mud, or snow as they distribute the weight of the vehicle over a larger contact area, decreasing its ground pressure. They also give exceptional traction and high manoeuvrability; a tracked vehicle can be turned on its own radius by driving the tracks in opposite directions. With armoured vehicles weighing up to 70 tonnes and some lighter tracked reconnaissance vehicles reaching over 80kmph, track systems are designed to deal with the significant loads and forces exerted.

Astrum track systems are designed to provide excellent vehicle terrain affordability. Using innovative designs incorporating composite materials, high integrity steel, abrasive and tear resistant polymer compounds, the Company’s new products are designed to deliver maximum durability with a minimum maintenance requirement, at minimum weight.

Astrum exports track systems around the world including tracks for Main Battle Tanks, Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers and Reconnaissance Vehicles as well as specialised armoured support vehicles and also supplies structural castings used in vehicle manufacture.

The Company has over 250 employees and also operates in the commercial earthmoving, intermodal and general engineering market sectors supplying high integrity cast steel products and assemblies to blue chip companies.

Hilary Armstrong MP for North West Durham stated “I am absolutely delighted that the quality of work and value for money that Astrum deliver has been recognised by the Ministry of Defence and that jobs and opportunities for local people are secured.”