Avon Protection Regulatory News (AVON)

5 Oct 2007 07:00

Avon Rubber PLC05 October 2007 Strictly embargoed until Friday, 5 October 2007 Avon Rubber p.l.c. ("Avon" or "the Group") Full rate production decision on M50 Mask for US JSGPM program The Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical and Biological Defence, hasapproved the Joint Service General Purpose Mask ("JSGPM") Program for entry intothe Full Rate Production Phase of Systems Acquisition. The collaboration betweenAvon and the Joint Project Manager for Individual Protection has resulted inthis significant milestone which will allow Avon's Cadillac, Michigan plant toramp up to full rate production to support fielding of this product to the U.S.Armed Forces. This milestone allows the U.S. Government to exercise the fullrate production portion of its contract with Avon and commence full rateproduction and fielding. The first multi year order is planned at a rate of100,000 masks per annum for an initial contract period of five years withadditional orders for both masks and spares to follow. It is anticipated thatorders in the first year will exceed $40 million. The development of the M50 Mask by Avon has resulted in the world's mostadvanced respiratory protection mask, offering huge improvements in comfort,usability and operational effectiveness, as well as protection. It will replacethe M40 mask which has been in service with the US military for more than 15years. The JSGPM program is likely to become the largest respiratory protectioncontract and will equip all five US armed forces. Avon has managed the complexand technologically demanding development of the M50 to meet the JSGPMrequirement since being awarded the original contract in 2000. The M50 and its extensive range of associated products including the uniqueconformal filters and advanced visor, will be manufactured at Avon's state ofthe art production facility in Cadillac, Michigan. Commenting on the full rate production of the M50, Terry Stead, Chief Executiveof Avon Rubber p.l.c., said: "This is a wonderful day for Avon and puts us ontrack to become the largest supplier of military CBRN respirators. It is theresult of over seven years of dedicated effort working with the US Department ofDefense and we are very proud of this achievement." - Ends - For further enquiries, please contact: Avon Rubber p.l.c. 01225 896831Terry Stead, Chief Executive 01225 896871Fiona Stewart (Local/Trade Press) Weber Shandwick FinancialRichard Hews / Rachel Martin / Hannah Marwood 020 7067 0700 NOTES TO EDITORS: Avon Rubber p.l.c. is an international polymer engineeringgroup adding value through material, manufacturing and industry sectorexpertise. The Group is currently capitalised at approximately £45 million. Avonsupplies a range of advanced CBRN respiratory protection solutions through AvonProtection Systems Inc. to the world's military and police forces, as well asfirst responders and emergency services. Avon Rubber p.l.c. owns Avon-ISI, whichdesigns, develops and manufactures a range of self-contained breathing apparatusfor fire, rescue and law enforcement, as well as military applications. AvonRubber p.l.c. also owns Avon Engineered Fabrications manufacturing productsincluding hovercraft skirting and flexible storage tanks, an aerosol gasketbusiness and a world leading dairy business manufacturing dairy liners andtubing. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange