First contract in £2.3bn UK MoD Boxer MIV Programme awarded to WFEL

The first official sub-contract for a UK company involved in the production of the MoD’s new Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicles programme, has been awarded by a member of the ARTEC consortium to WFEL, a nominated Tier One supplier in the project.

The contract covers the transfer of manufacturing technology from Germany to the UK for the Drive Modules for the Boxer Infantry Carrier, Special Carrier and Ambulance variants and marks a significant milestone after many months of planning, preparation and consultation following the signing late in 2019 of the £2.3bn contract between the UK Ministry of Defence and the ARTEC consortium, for the delivery of over 500 Boxer vehicles to the British Army.

Boxer is a state-of-the-art wheeled armoured vehicle that offers outstanding mobility and protection. Boxer will form an integral part of the British Army’s new Strike Brigade capabilities and shall have a service life of over 30 years. Battle-proven, it is in service across NATO and was recently selected by Australia.

WFEL will play a significant role in delivering the completed Boxer vehicles to the British Army and is undergoing substantial investment in an advanced manufacturing facility at its North West base, to ensure compliance with the stringent manufacturing requirements of these vehicles.

WFEL’s Managing Director, Ian Anderton, commented, “Our teams have been liaising closely with members of the ARTEC consortium, particularly KMW personnel, culminating in the awarding of this contract, which we are delighted to receive. We can now move further forward with developing our own supply chain partnerships around the UK, creating and sustaining high levels of employment and we’re looking forward to eventually seeing these superb vehicles in use with the British Army.” The UK MoD is already a long-standing customer of WFEL, having been a user of its rapidly deployable MGB Medium Girder Bridge systems for many years.

The Board of WFEL Ltd., a world leader in the supply of rapidly deployable military bridging systems and a key partner in the UK MoD’s Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle programme, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Winney to the position of Director of Business Development.

This new Director role has been formed in order to address the large number of enquiries for WFEL’s portfolio of world-class bridging products, which have already been supplied to more than 40 armed forces across the world.

Tom served as an Infantry Officer in the British Army, with postings to Afghanistan, Kosovo and Northern Ireland. In his new position, Tom will oversee all Business Development activity for WFEL’s range of products including the Dry Support Bridge (DSB) and Medium Girder Bridge (MGB). He has experience of military bridging, vehicles, ammunitions and service support with both the UK MoD and military organisations throughout the world.

Commenting on his new appointment, Tom Winney said, “I’m delighted to join WFEL at this exciting time for the company. The WFEL bridging systems are renowned as being world class and there are a number of really exciting innovations planned. DSB and MGB lead the way for use in military and disaster relief situations and WFEL has a fantastic heritage in military bridge design and manufacture.”

Prior to joining WFEL, Tom previously held senior Project Management and Business Development roles within BAE Systems and RBSL.

WFEL’s Managing Director, Ian Anderton, said, "I am delighted that Tom has joined our experienced and committed WFEL team. His knowledge of the military Land Forces market worldwide, together with his extensive experience and knowledge of both Engineering and Manufacturing in a number of business sectors, coupled with his successes to date, make him the ideal person to take on this new role.”

WFEL has been awarded another contract by the US Department of Defense to upgrade a further tranche of DSB Dry Support Bridges already in-service with the US Army.

This contract allows 20 more DSBs to be enhanced, increasing gap-crossing capabilities from 40 metres to 46 metres. The deal follows on from a previous US Army contract for the upgrading of 60 Dry Support Bridges.

The U.S Army holds around 120 Dry Support Bridges in inventory and this upgrade package - developed with US Army Tank Automotive Command Centre (TACOM) - allows its original 40-metre DSBs to achieve the new standard capability.

Since 2013, all WFEL Dry Support Bridges supplied have been 46 metre variants.  Already adopted by Australia, Switzerland and Turkey, this military bridging solution has recently been evaluated under an Assessment Phase contract as a replacement for the UK MoD’s ageing BR90 bridging systems.

WFEL’s Managing Director, Ian Anderton, said “We’re continually working with our US Army customer to ensure all their DSB bridging equipment is fulfilling its maximum potential and the simplicity of these upgrade kits allows the DSB enhancement work to be carried out at the US Army’s facilities, with minimal disruption.”

WFEL recently supplied a further four Dry Support Bridges to the US Army, as part of the USA’s $4.8 billion European Deterrence Initiative to improve the USA’s readiness and responsiveness of NATO forces in Europe. DSBs have been used in combat and emergency scenarios worldwide, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Europe and South Korea.

Following WFEL’s recent announcement of its significant involvement in the production of the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle for the British Army, the company is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Munt as Boxer Programme Director.

Andrew will take responsibility for WFEL’s new Boxer facility construction and full equipment commissioning whilst ensuring that the required technology transfer from WFEL’s parent company, KMW, is delivered on time to ensure successful delivery of WFEL’s programme milestones. His previous experience spans extensive senior level engineering development and production roles worldwide, working on the successful delivery of projects for both the Defence and Automotive sectors within companies including GKN and BAE Systems.

Andrew was also considerably involved several years ago in the UK MoD’s original Multi Role Armoured Vehicle programme - which subsequently became Boxer MIV - and therefore is perfectly placed to head up this project.

Commenting on his new appointment, Andrew Munt said, “I am delighted to be joining WFEL at such an exciting time for the business.  The prospect of building Boxer for the British Army is going to be rewarding for the whole WFEL team.

“It is pleasing to be able bring to WFEL my previous armoured vehicle experience and to contribute to the on-time, on-cost and on-quality delivery of Boxer.  It will be wonderful to see members of the British Army using this superb vehicle in their training and operational deployments around the world.”

Andrew is a Chartered Engineer, holds a Degree in Metallurgy and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

WFEL’s Managing Director, Ian Anderton, said, "I am thrilled that Andrew has decided to join the WFEL team.  His previous involvement with the MoD’s initial Boxer prototypes, coupled with experience of working on other armoured vehicle projects, will be invaluable as we increase our pace with this project to meet the expectations of our UK MoD customer.”

Following the appointment of Andrew Munt, WFEL continues its extensive recruitment campaign for a large number of new roles which are being created as a direct result of the Boxer vehicle delivery programme for the UK MoD.

Under the recently signed £2.3 billion contract between UK MoD and ARTEC - the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall consortium - a significant portion of the manufacture of the 500 Boxer Armoured Vehicles for the Army’s Strike Brigades will take place at KMW’s UK subsidiary, WFEL, creating a substantial number of jobs for both WFEL and its UK-wide supply chain.

The Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle programme aims to source more than 60% by value of the vehicle content from UK suppliers and these 8 x 8 wheeled vehicles will be supplied in several different configurations, including an armoured personnel carrier, field ambulance, command vehicle and specialist carrier. Delivery of the vehicles is expected to start from 2023 and this order marks the return of the UK to a European Defence Programme, having taken part in the Boxer project while in its infancy. Boxer is now on its way to becoming one of NATO’s standard vehicles.

UK Defence Minister James Heappey said: “Investing in the Boxer programme is a prime example of Defence doing more than ever to level-up the UK economy through employment. By developing our relationship with WFEL, we are also supporting high-skilled jobs across the UK supply chain.

“This partnership ensures we engage with our people from the very beginning, connecting talented apprentices with the valuable roles Defence has to offer.”

As part of the preparations for this significant contract, WFEL has re-energised its Apprenticeship Scheme, with the first of its new Apprentice recruits recently joining the company to follow the path of Advanced Apprenticeships in Engineering Manufacture and keen to be involved in this 10-year contract.

As well as the on-going commitment to new Apprenticeships, WFEL is also actively recruiting for a substantial number of new roles to be based at its Stockport site, whilst engaging with both existing and new suppliers in anticipation of its contribution to both the North West economy and the Northern Powerhouse.

Ian Anderton, Managing Director of WFEL, said, “Our substantial involvement in the Boxer programme allows us to further develop our UK supply chain, in turn creating and protecting valuable UK engineering jobs and developing new skills for our staff and those of our supply chain partners. Working in close partnership with our KMW colleagues, we are both delighted and proud to be part of this transformational project for the British Army, with whom we have worked for many years.”

See WFEL's Careers page for more details of our current vacancies.

U.S. Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 and U.S. Marines assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, recently conducted a joint bridge exercise on board Marine Corps Base Camp Bendleton, California.

The 20 Seabees partnered with 32 Marines for the week-long exercise to construct both an eight-bay double story and six-bay single story Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) and a five-bay Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB), to demonstrate NMCB capabilities and improve interoperability with their Marine counterparts.

The overall purpose was for Seabees to learn what the Marines have to offer in a joint operational environment and vice versa, to improve Navy and Marine Corps bridging operations for major combat operations response.

The exercise consisted of constructing two MGBs, which are a key piece of military bridging capabilities. They are lightweight, easily transportable, constructed aluminium bridges used to traverse land gaps. Their speed of erection by a small group of Seabees paired with very little maintenance requirements once erected are defining characteristics.

7th ESB is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and provides general engineering support of an expeditionary nature to the Marine Expeditionary Force, to include mobility, counter mobility and survivability enhancements, explosive ordnance disposal, and general supply support to include the handling, storage and distribution of bulk water and fuel.

Seabees are the expeditionary engineering and construction experts of the naval service. They provide task-tailored, adaptable and combat-ready engineering and construction forces that deploy to support global Navy objectives.

Read the full story here:- https://www.dvidshub.net/news/360597/nmcb-3-7th-es... Photo Credit: 200116-N-BN840-1007 CAMP PENDLETON

WFEL’s Managing Director, Ian Anderton, had the opportunity to brief The Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson, the UK Prime Minister, during a recent visit to the British Army’s training facilities on Salisbury Plain. The discussions covered WFEL’s range of Military Bridging systems - both currently in-service with the UK MoD and other Nations, and under consideration for Project TYRO - and also the significant role which WFEL will play in the MoD’s potential Boxer MIV project.

Prime Minister Johnson heard about WFEL’s 100 years of rich military history, from the days of Fairey Aviation to involvement in the F35 Lightning II stealth multi-role combat aircraft programme. He was impressed by WFEL’s exporting record, with bridging solutions having already been chosen by 42 militaries worldwide, including USA, Australia, Switzerland and many Far East and Middle East customers and was also keen to hear about WFEL’s skilled workforce based in the North West of England, involved in a variety of precision-engineered manufacturing programmes.

The Prime Minister was accompanied on his Salisbury Plain visit by the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Rt. Hon. Ben Wallace, who had previously been briefed by Ian Anderton during the recent DSEI defence show in London.

Plans were also discussed around the proposed enhancements to WFEL’s military vehicle manufacturing facility in order to accommodate the manufacture of the Boxer MIV for the British Army, should this project go ahead. The Prime Minister had earlier met with military chiefs to talk about ensuring that the British Armed Forces are prepared in the face of any threats to the UK.

Leading military bridge supplier, WFEL, receives Armed Forces Covenant Award for support to Defence

UK military bridge manufacturer, WFEL, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award, which acknowledges WFEL’s support to Defence and the wider Armed Forces community.

In 2018, WFEL signed the Armed Forces Covenant, affirming its pledge to uphold the Covenant. This is a promise by the nation, enshrined in UK law, to those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, that they are treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

WFEL demonstrates its support through a number of initiatives, such as employing former service personnel and also reservists who continue to serve their country, as well as actively supporting Armed Forces charities such as Combat Stress.

The Bronze Award, signed by both Gavin Williamson, UK Secretary of State for Defence and General Sir Nicholas Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, was presented to WFEL’s Managing Director, Ian Anderton, during a ceremony at WFEL’s military bridging manufacturing facility in Cheshire.

On receiving the award from Major Anthony Turner of Army Headquarters North West, WFEL’s Managing Director, Ian Anderton, said, “It is hugely beneficial to have in the WFEL team former military personnel with extensive knowledge and experience of using our rapidly deployable bridges during their military life.We are delighted that our commitment to supporting the armed forces has been recognised with this Bronze Award and we are extremely proud to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant.”

Geoff Nuzum, Regional Employer Engagement Director at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NW RFCA), added: “On behalf of the Ministry of Defence we are delighted to present WFEL with an Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award. There is much to be gained on both sides from a partnership with Defence and the commitment from WFEL is a testament to that. We look forward to further opportunities to collaborate in the future.”

WFEL’s Rapidly Installed Bridges deployed during Exercise Trident Juncture

U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy Seabees jointly deployed a WFEL Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) in Norway recently, during the largest NATO exercise in more than 16 years - Exercise Trident Juncture 18. The troops demonstrated their bridge-building skills in a constricted workspace in an extremely harsh weather environment and tested their ability to ensure mobility of forces during the scenario of an existing bridge over a gap becoming structurally unsound due to battle damage and unsafe for military vehicles to cross. The need for the new bridge was, therefore, critical.

Almost 100 U.S. Marine Light Armoured Vehicles and Norwegian Bandvagns (all-terrain tracked carrier vehicles) crossed the bridge immediately after its completion.

Gap crossing is a critical skill that engineers need to accomplish; the military acknowledge that being able to rapidly assess and breach a gap takes a great deal of planning and co-ordination - and is always a challenge.

In recent years, most U.S. Forces operations have been carried out in warm or desert environments, e.g. Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Recently, however, the focus has moved, such there has now become a priority for training between NATO allies in areas where temperatures often drop well below freezing.

The austere environment of Norway caused some severe challenges; the road leading up to the bridge was narrow with steep drop-offs on each side, complicating the movement of transportation and the icy conditions created a safety hazard for those working around the bridge. However, the troops quickly adapted to the situation and accomplished their mission. The bridge was kept in pristine condition and was ready for the operation sooner than expected.

The overall exercise, including bridge-building construction, helped to test and validate warfighting capabilities across the warfighting domains, better preparing them to help support NATO Allies and partners.

To assist with the logistics challenge, a strategic pre-positioning programme was called upon. Since 1981, equipment and supplies had been pre-positioned in Norway to enable a quicker response by the military in times of crisis. The U.S. Marine Corps Prepositioning Program has been used to support logistics for combat operations such as the war in Iraq and, during Trident Juncture 18, the U.S. Marines once again utilized this concept by withdrawing equipment from caves to build the WFEL Medium Girder Bridge.

Around 50,000 participants from some 30 NATO and partner countries took part in exercise Trident Juncture 2018, the largest in a series of long-planned exercises to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate seamlessly together and ready to respond to any threat, from any direction.

The exercise took place in central and eastern Norway and surrounding areas of the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea, including Iceland and the airspace of Finland and Sweden. Air, land, maritime, special operation forces and amphibious forces participated. Around 250 aircraft, 65 vessels and up to 10,000 vehicles were used during the exercise, including the British Army which deployed some 1600 soldiers and over 1000 vehicles and equipment.

UK Defence Minister Stuart Andrew today visited WFEL to mark the completion of a multi-million-pound contract to supply the Australian Army with vital logistics equipment. The Defence Minister described WFEL, which has benefited from £600m-worth of export orders, as ‘a model for how companies across the UK can thrive on the global stage’. The Minister was accompanied by the Head of Australian Defence Staff London, Air Commodore Brian Edwards and both were given a demonstration of the complete build and launch of a DSB Dry Support Bridge, which can be deployed in under 90 minutes by a team of only 8 personnel and can support an MLC of 120 whilst spanning a 46 metre gap.

The bridges will be used in combat situations providing rapidly deployable temporary infrastructure ensuring vital equipment and soldiers can navigate their way through the most challenging terrain. The military bridges can also be used in times of crisis during natural disasters maintaining essential lifelines to those who need it the most.

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said:

“WFEL is leading the way across the world when it comes to making military bridges which help troops defeat our enemies and provide essential aid to people in disaster zones. Not only does this company bring hundreds of jobs and millions of pounds of investment to the UK, but it helps flourish relations with some of our closest allies. As they finish an order for Australia, kick off another order for America and look towards more opportunities to build British bridges, they are a model for how companies across the country can thrive on the global stage and play a key role in the defence of our nation.”

Work continues at WFEL following the completion of this Australian order as the company turns its focus to new orders for the US Army, building upon the 116 military bridges that the company has already built for US forces.

WFEL’s contribution to UK defence can be traced back as far as 1915. The company has been designing and producing bridges for the UK military since the 1970s and the relationship remains to this day - the British Army has over 50 sets in service. They have been proven in the field in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are also potential UK opportunities in the pipeline for WFEL, with the company currently bidding to update and replace some of the MOD’s military bridging systems and it could become part of the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme's supply chain, which would support the current 227-strong local workforce.

Ian Anderton, Chief Executive of WFEL, said:

“As the leading tactical military bridge maker globally, WFEL continues to work to provide solutions for customers like the Australian Defence Force. Our long-standing relationship with the ADF first began over 30 years ago, when they chose our Medium Girder Bridges. We have been delighted to continue to support them again today, not only with the supply of further MGBs but also with a significant capability enhancement with the latest mechanised Dry Support Bridges.

“The adoption of the DSB not only provides the ADF’s Manoeuvre Commanders with the ability to cross significant wet or dry gaps quickly and efficiently, it allows a level of inter-operability with an ever-growing user base. We have worked collaboratively with the Commonwealth’s Managing Contractor to reduce risk for this contract and are pleased to be providing an off-the-shelf solution to the ADF’s wide-gap tactical bridging requirements.”

Head of Australian Defence Staff London, Air Commodore Brian Edwards, said:

“The Australian-UK bilateral defence relationship has been forged over many years and is incredibly strong and enduring. In recent times, we have seen an increased emphasis in opportunities for collaboration from a defence industry standpoint. This project introduces into service the latest addition to the Australian Army’s suite of combat bridging. It will ensure that the Australian Defence Force has an enhanced gap crossing capability which will enable land forces, both mounted and dismounted, to cross wet and dry gaps in support of operations.”