ASDWire distribution date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:36:00 GMT +0100

UK Defence Companies' Show of Strength at DSEi 2009

UK Pavilion Hosts Biggest Ever Range of SMEs

Thursday, 30th July 2009 --[ASDWire]-- The vital role which the UK’s companies – particularly SMEs (Small to Medium Sized Enterprises) play in supporting the global defence sector, will be highlighted within the largest ever UK Pavilion at the DSEi exhibition at London’s ExCel in September. The show takes place from 8th – 11th September 2009 (visit www.dsei.co.uk).

The UK Pavilion, led by the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA), will include over a hundred companies, keen to promote their products, services and capabilities to the worldwide audience expected to visit the show. For the first time, the DMA will work closely with the Defence Industries Council to actively promote participant companies around the world.

DMA Events Director, Tim Ives says, “The UK Pavilions, which the DMA leads at all the major industry events around the world, provide an effective platform for even the smallest companies to present themselves on the world stage. At DSEi, we have over a hundred companies participating in the UK Pavilion – which is testament to the importance and diversity of the sector – and the contribution of SMEs in particular.

“Whilst it is the major suppliers and Prime contractors who typically attract the headlines, we hope that this initiative will help to highlight businesses right across the supply chain – manufacturing anything from specialist buttons and clothing through to survival rations, water purification, counter measures against IEDs, communications packages, seating systems, climate control equipment and life support”, says Tim Ives.

As a preview to what the world’s defence buyers and visitors will find within the UK Pavilion, the DMA and DIC have issued advanced information about some of the companies involved.

AB Precision (Poole) Limited (Stand 598) makes specialist equipment for explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) and improvised explosive device defeat (IEDD). The company employs 70 people at its Dorset facility and its customers include both UK MoD and other international defence procurement organisations. Its products include disrupters, tools and exploders used to de-arm and deactivate bombs and other devices. [ www.abprecision.co.uk ]

Aerco Limited (Stand 889) of Horsham is a leading distributor of electronic and electromechanical components to manufacturers across the defence, military and aerospace industries. Its products include connectors, cable and wire, fans and blowers, fuses, electromagnetic and electro-optic devices, joysticks, relays, sensors and switches. Founded in 1956, it offers customers supply chain management systems and an inventory management service, in addition to its component supply activities. [ www.aerco.co.uk ]

Aeronautical & General Instruments Limited (AGI) (Stand 1075) manufactures naval navigation systems and visual landing aids. Its products are designed to operate in continuous and critical use applications in harsh environments such as at sea, in theatre or at busy airport runways. Its products include marine instrumentation, such as speed log systems, meteorological systems and portable airfield lighting. It employs 130 people at its principal facility in Poole, Dorset. [ www.agiltd.co.uk ]

Aspire Consulting Limited (Stand 775) provides pragmatic, cost effective and where needed, innovative Supportability Engineering services and training. Supportability Engineering is a discipline, through life management approach for engineering assets to identify in-service support at the optimum through life cost. The company has developed an advanced approach to the application of supportability Engineering, known as the Aspire Methodology – and has adopted the theme for 2009 of ‘Enhancing Operational Effect and Through Life Cost Reduction’. [ www.aspirecl.com ]

Astrum (Stand 753) designs and manufactures track systems and running gear for armoured fighting vehicles. It employs 250 people at its Stanhope, County Durham facility and currently supplies UK MoD with track systems for CVRT, FV430 Bulldog, Warrior and Challenger 2. Astrum recently became the first non-aerospace firm in the North East to win the prestigious National Supply Chain Award. It has also won a contract to supply a unique and innovative lock down solution for use with the VSS ROPS frame seating system, currently being supplied to the Finnish Defence Force. [ www.astrum.uk.com ]

Cinch Connectors Limited (Stand 699), based in Worksop, Nottinghamshire provides high reliability interconnect solutions including ruggedised IP rated enclosures and micro D’hermetics. At DSEi, it will announce its patented nano connector technology which, at a 3amp power rating is three times that of other products available on the market. It has also developed a technology which facilitates the easy replacement, maintenance and installation of in-flight entertainment display screens. [ www.cinchuk.com ]

Cooneen Watts & Stone (Stand 964) is the Prime Contractor to UK MoD for all uniformed clothing. It supplies camouflage trousers, jackets, smocks, workwear, dress wear, knitwear and accessories. It also supplies rucksack covers for troops on the ground – and the new MK16 and MK17 coveralls for the RAF, all cotton underwear and all flame retardant camouflage clothing. Based in Northern Ireland, the company is accredited to ISO 9001:2008 and operates a dedicated logistics operation capable of handling over 5 million stock units per annum. [ www.cooneenwattsandstone.com ]

Creation UK (Stand 757) is one of the UK’s leading independent, vehicle engineering, design, development and project management specialists. It is able to provide a seamless fulfilment capability between requirements capture and concept creation - through to viable, engineered and fully integrated vehicle systems. At DSEi, Creation displays the latest version of its Zephyr SRV programme - a versatile, up-specified and protected wheeled platform. A number of Creation’s other concept-up vehicle programmes are being shown elsewhere at DSEi. [ www.creationteam.co.uk ]

Didsbury Engineering Company Limited (Stand 896), based in Wilmslow, Cheshire supplies specialised hoists and lifting equipment for aircraft maintenance and weapons handling. It already supplies UK MoD with minilift hoists for engine change on Hawk, Tornado and Typhoon and weapons hoists for Harrier and Lynx. Its new EF2000 weapon loader will be shown for the first time at DSEi. Currently being supplied to the German Air Force, the EF2000 has been designed for ease of use and versatility. A particular feature is the capability to stack the loader three high for transport, thus helping to reduce airlift requirements. [ www.didsbury.com ]

Englands Specialist Safety Equipment (Stand 589) currently supplies UK MoD with covert and personal armour systems and clothing. It also manufactures armoured aircrew jackets, life jackets and related equipment. Based in Birmingham, it has earned a reputation for its multi-functional life saving products and has won a number of awards for innovation, the Queens Award for Enterprise and two Millennium Products Awards. At DSEi, it will launch its personal cooling system – designed to enable the operator to work in extreme conditions. [ www.englands1.com ]

Faun Municipal Vehicles Limited (Stand 769) supplies portable aluminium roadway solutions for the mobility of vehicles and aircraft. It currently supplies UK MoD with Heavy Ground Mobility System (HGMS), Medium Ground Mobility System (MGMS), Rapid Runway Repair (RRR), Aircraft Landing Mat (ALM) and Helicopter Landing Mat (HLM). At DSEi it will launch a new edge panel modification for its Rapid Runway Repair product which will provide a softer approach and taxiing area for modern aircraft. [ www.fauntrackway.co.uk ]

F C Lane Electronics (Stand 877) is part of the Lodge Group and supplies electrical connectors and cable assemblies. It is a franchised distributor and stockist for many of the leading connector manufacturers and carries IECQ-CECC, BS9000, ISO and QPL approvals. At DSEi, it will announce its new fibre optic connector and harness assembly cell development and a new connector crimp contact retention system. [ www.fclane.com ]

Flag Officer Sea Training/International Defence Training (Royal Navy) supported by VT Flagship (Stand 697) is the primary gateway for all RN and auxiliary training. IDT (RN) now provides the focal point for all aspects of naval training including Initial Officer, Officer and Ratings career courses, Naval Aviation, Submarine, Royal Marine and Operational Sea Training (OST) at Tier 1 (Task Unit) and Tier 2 (TASK GROUP). Additional training opportunities are available in conjunction with IDT (RN)’s commercial training partner, VT Flagship, which is now well established as a world leader in naval training solutions. [ www.vtplc.com/educationandskills ]

Gecko Headgear Limited (Stand 866) manufactures marine safety helmets and waterproof communications attachments. The Gecko Marine Safety Helmet consists of three main parts – the outer shell, internal liner and retention system. The company is continuously developing the design and, as a result, it can offer a range of custom additions to the helmet which facilitate the attachment of, for instance, video and communications devices. At DSEi, the company will launch a new retrofit comms headset and waterproof boat intercom system. [ www.geckoheadgear.com ]

Hypertac Limited (Stand 890) is part of the Connector Technology Group, part of Smiths Group and is a leading provider of high reliability, high performance interconnect solutions for military applications. At DSEi, the company will launch a new range of Hypertac SNAPTac connectors which offer size and robustness advantages. Designed for military use for the Future Combat Soldier project, these connectors ensure that wearable electronic systems will not fail even in the unique and extreme conditions encountered in theatre. [ www.hypertac.com ]

IS-Rayfast Limited (Stand 972) is a distributor of high performance interconnection products and components. Part of the Diploma Group and based in Swindon, Wiltshire, it has recently become the specialist UK distributor for NKK Switches, including its innovative SMARTSWITCH in high resolution LCD and new OLED (Organic LED) range. These devices provide a brilliant, wide viewing angle with a high contrast resolution format, yielding superior clarity and quality. [ www.israyfast.com ]

Keyence (UK) Limited (Stand 595) manufactures sensors, measurement systems and microscopes. At DSEi, the company will launch the new Keyence VHX-600 digital microscope which offers an extraordinarily large depth of field that is at least 20 times greater than conventional microscopes. A 54 mega-pixel 3CCD mode camera and a wide selection of high-resolution, leading-edge RZ optical design zoom lenses with up to 5000x magnification provide excellent chromatic aberration correction and superior image quality. [ www.keyence.co.uk ]

Marlow Ropes (Stand 771) will launch a new extraction and evacuation rope and a new wire rope replacement winch line at DSEi. The company already supplies HMPE (Dyneema) tow ropes, abseil ropes and Kerr ropes to UK MoD. Marlow continues to manufacture rope on the same site where the product has been made for over 200 years – and has recently acquired new buildings which has enabled the company to expand. [ www.marlowropes.com ]

Marshall Land Systems (Stand 755) manufactures and supplies a variety of protected workspace and logistics solutions including load beds for the UK MoD Support Vehicle. At DSEi, the company will unveil its Equipment Prime Mover (EPM), based on the UK Support Vehicle. It is designed to provide armoured protection to a detachment, commander and driver whilst allowing the vehicle to transport stores (such as artillery ammunition or defence stores), provide the MHE to assist off loading these stores whilst towing their equipment such as a bridge set, artillery gun or heavy mortar. [ www.marshall-ls.com ]

Maybrey Reliance (Stand 899) produces cast parts for armoured vehicles and a wide range of other cast components for mainstream defence companies. Based in Kent, it offers a complete service from casting to finished products, specialising in all aspects of ferrous and non-ferrous sand, dye and investment castings. It currently supplies its NEXE pipes to customers including UK MoD and it is continuing with an extensive investment programme at its manufacturing facilities. [ www.maybrey.co.uk ]

Metalite Aviation Lighting (Stand 1075), part of Aeronautical & General Instruments, manufactures portable and emergency airfield lighting systems. Its range of portable equipment includes runway and taxiway edge lights, approach lights, PAPIs and obstruction lights. Its customers include the armed forces of some of the world’s leading countries, international airports, humanitarian and peacekeeping organisations and airborne law enforcement agencies. [ www.metaliteaviation.com ]

MIL Power (Stand 968) manufactures one of the world’s largest ranges of high performance military specification batteries, chargers and ancillary equipment. It supplies rechargeable batteries based on Li-ion, nickel metal hydride and nickel cadmium technology and non-rechargeable Lithium Manganese Dioxide units. Its ruggedised chargers are designed for operation in harsh environments, whether static or mobile. It has recently introduced a 5-output charger for 14.4volt military Lithium Ion batteries and will charge 2 HF or 5 VHF Bowman batteries using plug in leads. [ www.milpower.co.uk ]

Missiles & Space Batteries Limited (MSB) (Stand 887) is part of the ASB Group and specialises in the research, design and manufacture of thermal batteries for the aeronautics, space, defence and armaments industries. Thermal batteries offer exceptional reliability, will function under severe external conditions – and can operate maintenance-free for 15 years and more. Thermal batteries are non-rechargeable, single use units that are completely inert before being activated. [ www.asb-group.com ]

Portsmouth Aviation (Stand 888) manufactures a range of defence equipment including practice bombs, bomb tails, weapons handling equipment and chemical biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) filtration systems. The company appears at DSEi having recently formed a teaming arrangement with Hunter Defence Technology (HDT) to expand the range of CBRN filtration systems that it is able to supply in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. [ www.portav.co.uk ]

Radixon UK (Stand 870) manufactures radio monitoring, surveillance and associated systems. At DSEi, the company will launch a range of new wide band receiving systems, covering the frequency range 9kHz to 8.6GHz. With IF band widths up to 330MHz, these receivers provide the user with capability to detect and capture short duration signals, as well as display and record of wide bands of frequencies. Radixon will also demonstrate its latest Precision Position Finding System (PPFS) which, in conjunction with radio direction finding, enables the location of emissions with a precision of less than 50 metres. [ www.radixon.co.uk ]

Scott Health & Safety (Stand 793), part of Tyco International, will use DSEi to launch its new General Service Respirator (GSR). This new respirator offers unparalled levels of protection whilst offering significant improvements in user burden and integration with platforms to maintain operational capability. The company already supplies a range of respiratory protection equipment including the EDBA self-contained breathing apparatus, used for damage control and fire-fighting onboard all RN ships, airline breathing apparatus for EOD and painting of specialist platforms requiring isocyanate based paints and CBRN filters. [ www.tycoint.com ]

Typhoon International (Stand 855) is the world’s largest manufacturer of dry suits and dry bags and has an unrivalled reputation for high quality marine and diving products. Its SAR dry suits and bags are supplied to meet the individual specifications of Military and Special Forces users and its other customers include the RNLI, Coastguards, Police, river and fire authorities, Customs and Excise and the International Rescue Service. [ www.typhoon-int.co.uk ]

XCEL Power Systems (Stand 872a), based in Kent, manufactures power supplies and power conversion systems. Its market leading, high reliability, harsh environment power supplies are built to meet standard, semi-custom or custom requirements across a range of sectors including avionics, land and sea. The company has over 50 years experience in the design and manufacture of switch-mode PSUs for airborne land based and seaborne applications. XCEL recently announced a major development and LRIP order for its PSUs from a Prime multi-national customer. [ www.xcelpower.com ]

-ends-

Note to Editors: The Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA), incorporating the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers (APPSS), is the UK’s not-for-profit Trade Association that represents over 670 UK Defence and Public Security companies, from large, global corporations to small and medium-sized enterprise companies. The objective of the Association is to support and assist Members in finding and developing current business in the Defence and Public Security sectors. DMA represents the interests of the UK Defence Industry to government in the UK and overseas, as well as prime contractors. In particular, The DMA maintains strong links with the UK Ministry of Defence and UKTI Defence and Security Organisation, to provide expert advice on commercial, acquisition and export issues.

For a full list of exhibitors at DSEi, logon to www.dsei.co.uk

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