Stockport based WFEL has awarded a £12 million contract to Bath-based manufacturer Horstmann as part of its ongoing work supplying the UK armed forces.
The defence manufacturer will subcontract out the supply of over 250 angular gear boxes and control units as part of WFEL’s £2.3 billion contract to manufacture Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicles (Boxer MIVs) for the British Army; WFEL will deliver prefabricated hulls for the vehicles. Horstman’s parent company, RENK, which has made all production Angle Drive Gearboxes for the Boxer vehicles to date, and the contract will create up to 20 new jobs across WFEL’s supply chain.
As part of the Stockport defence manufacturer’s contract to supply Boxer MIVs to the UK military, work is currently underway to construct a new facility at WFEL’s Heaton Chapel site. The multi-million pound facility is being delivered by Cheadle Hulme based ACS Construction Group and will allow for the creation of 120 new jobs at the firm, in both operational and fabrication positions.
The Boxer MIV programme aims to source 60% by value of the contract from within the UK, protecting sovereign engineering and manufacturing skills and ensuring that the vehicles remain supported through their 30-year operational life.
Just like WFEL, Horstman UK counts amongst its employees a number of ex-military personnel, well versed and experienced in working with the British Army and industry alike and involvement in this UK Boxer Programme continues a long heritage of providing combat mobility solutions in support of British and allied forces.
Stockport manufacturer expands premises 
Government backing for North West Sustainable Aviation Fuel production 
Japanese manufacturer to make £100 million investment in Greater Manchester operations