“Army ups M-ATV order with Oshkosh - United Press International” plus 1 more

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Army ups M-ATV order with Oshkosh - United Press International Posted: 03 Aug 2009 10:36 AM PDT OSHKOSH, Wis., Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army is increasing its order with Oshkosh Corp. for the delivery of additional mine-resistant, ambush-protected All Terrain Vehicles. U.S. company Oshkosh was selected by the Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command as the prime contractor for the MRAP-All Terrain Vehicles program at the end of June. Oshkosh announced TACOM has increased its order for the company's M-ATVs. Under the $1.06 billion order, Oshkosh will deliver an additional 1,700 M-ATVs to support the Army's operations in Afghanistan. The order follows an initial $1.05 billion contract. "At Oshkosh, our main focus is to ensure that M-ATVs are waiting in theater for the warfighters when they arrive, rather than having the warfighter wait for the vehicle," Robert Bohn, Oshkosh chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "We are confident in our ability to ramp up production to 1,000 per month in December and this additional order will allow us to sustain that rate of production through February 2010." This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Plasan contract swells to $1B - Rutland Herald Posted: 06 Aug 2009 06:01 AM PDT Plasan contract swells to $1B By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: August 6, 2009 BENNINGTON The good news continued for Plasan North America when it learned on Friday that their contract to supply armor for about 2,250 vehicles for the U.S. Army had increased by 1,700. Bruce Evey, general manager of Plasan North America, said the contract to supply the armor for all-terrain vehicles which are mine resistant and armor protected was worth about $1.06 billion. The vehicles are made with Oshkosh Corp. in Wisconsin and are known as MRAP vehicles or, in this case, M-ATVs. In July, Plasan and Oshkosh won a contract worth $1.05 billion to make 2,224 of the vehicles. Evey said the new contract would help strengthen the manufacturer's ability to keep some of the new people who have been hired to help them meet the requirements of the first contract and add up to 50 new jobs. According to Evey, Plasan has already hired 55 to 60 people. The company is still looking for more people, Evey said, both to work on the factory's lines and in positions like engineering, accounting and human resources. Evey said he also expected the Army may commission even more vehicles in the future that would lead to even more jobs. The M-ATVs are especially designed to easily navigate difficult terrain and dirt roads like U.S. troops are encountering in Afghanistan while the armor protects the soldiers inside. Larger versions of the vehicle are already being used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Plasan has further plans for development and expansion, Evey said. While the company is currently able to place armor on about 20 vehicles a week, Evey said they plan to be prepared to armor 1,000 vehicles a month by November. They are also looking at other sites in the Bennington-area for possible expansion. While making the armor for the recent contracts, the Bennington site is also involved in another U.S. army-related contract to do research and development for body armor. The Bennington manufacturer, which has two plants in town but whose parent company is based in Israel, is working on developing some projects for the Canadian market. The parent company, Plasan Sasa, already has several international contracts. "It's definitely a global market," Evey said. Plasan's second local site, Plasan Carbon Composites, on Shields Drive, manufactures parts for various auto makers. In January, about 90 people were laid off from that plant. Evey said many of those people were contacted about the open positions at Plasan North America. The company is working with a Bennington staffing agency, Adecco, to hire people on a temporary basis. Those who show the right skills are offered a chance to stay on, Evey said. So far, Oshkosh and Plasan have shown great enthusiasm for meeting the requirements of the contact with the Army, even providing one more vehicle than the 45 specified in its first month. Bennington Town Manager Stuart Hurd said the company's success was good news for the town and the area. "It almost sounds like it's too good to be true. But it's real and we'll take it," he said. Plasan North America in Bennington employs about 175 people. patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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