Westminster Group Regulatory News (WSG)

23 Mar 2009 07:00



23rd March 2009

Westminster Group Plc:

New Contract Award

Rapid Deployment Scanning Portals for Iraq

Contract value £1 Million

Westminster Group Plc ('Westminster' or 'the Group'), the AIMlisted supplier of system solutions and products to the security, defence, fire protectionand safety markets worldwide, announces that it has secured a new contract for the supply ofits 'ThruPORT' rapid deployment,high security scanning portals,valued at £1 Million.

The contract was secured by the Group's internationaldivision and is for the supply of Westminster's newly developed 'ThruPORT' rapid deployment, high security scanning portals which are to bedeployed at airports within Iraq. The contract will be deliveredwithin the next few months with the revenue being fully recognised in 2009.

ThruPORT is a complete self contained scanningsolution, built within a specialised ISO shipping containerwhich is rapidly deployable and can be shipped throughoutthe world. Once it has arrived on site the unit can be set up and fully operationalwithin hours.

All systems are remotely controlled and monitoredfrom a safe distance together with CCTV surveillance and audio communications links.Should a suspect device be detected,the person can be directed to a separate 'safe' blast controlled search area.

Typical deployment would be some distance fromthe main building, such as an airport terminal, to ensure that potential blast damage is minimisedthrough its containment in a controlled environment. Thesystem can, in addition, be deployed together with Westminster's vehicle scanning solutions for applications such as border checkpoints.

Westminster developed the ThruPORT concept jointly with ThruVision, who is the market leader in passive standoff terahertz imaging solutions. Westminster received enquiries from customersfor a system which could providea secure environment for thorough and effective scanning of bothpeople and baggage entering vulnerable or high securitysites, such as airports, embassies, military compounds and government buildings, whilst at the same time eliminating or minimisingany collateral blast damage should an incident occur.

Each unit contains sophisticated people and baggagescanning solutions allowing for a high throughput of persons, whilst still maintaininga high degree of security. Atypical security check would be for a person to enter the unit through a controlled door, depositing their baggage on aconveyor belt leading to an x-ray scanner. The person proceedsalong a corridor and through a metal and weapon detection archway. Atthis time the person is beingscanned by a passive standoffterahertz imaging unit which will detect hidden weaponryor substances concealed under clothing,without any loss of privacy. Oncethe person has passed along the corridor they then pass through a second door intothe next corridor where they collect their scanned baggage and leave through anothercontrolled exit door.

Further details on the Westminster ThruPORT solution may be found on their websitehere www.wg-plc.com/international/security/thruport_security_screening.html

Commenting on the contractaward Peter Fowler, Chief Executive of Westminster Group,said:

"I am delighted to beable to announce this latest contract award. It is a valuablecontract however, equally importantly, is a testament toour ability to design and provide solutions to meet our clients' needs and to be able to deploy those solutions internationally as required.

"ThruVision has proved to be a good partner; the qualityof their products and the professionalism of their team is a good fit with the Westminster mantra of "Excellence Through Service"! We lookforward to working with them on further bespoke products.

"This latest awardmeans we are starting 2009 on a very positive note! Westminster started2009 with an order book of some£4.2m (£1.4m2008), enquiry and order activity remains healthywith an order intake so far in 2009 already some 28% ahead of that in the same periodof 2008".

Enquiries:

Peter Fowler 01295 756 300

Chief Executive - Westminster Group Plc

Nicholas Mearing-Smith 01295 756 300

Finance Director - WestminsterGroup Plc

Clive Carver 020 7600 1658

FinnCap

Tom Cooper/Paul Vann 0117 920 0092

Winningtons Financial

Notes:

Westminster Group plc is a leader in the supplyof system solutions and products tothe security, defence, fire protection and safety markets worldwide.

Westminster's principal activity is the design,supply and ongoing support of advancedtechnology security solutions, risk assessments and close protection services.These can range from product only assignments,such as the supply of specialised scanners, to the design andimplementation of an integrated system solution such asa border detection and surveillancesystem. The majority of its customer base, by value, comprisesgovernments and government agencies, non governmental organisationsand blue chip commercial organisations.