World leading marine safety equipment firm International Safety Products (ISP) is entering DSEI 2013 after securing a trio of major international defence sector deals – including the extension of an eight year relationship with the UK Ministry of Defence.
Bootle based ISP which is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of inflatable marine lifejackets will be exhibiting in the UK Pavilion. The firm joins DSEI 2013 after just signing a new contract to supply more than 180 Assault Troop lifejackets to the Pakistan Navy.
ISP sales director Geoff Billington said the firm is delighted to be attending DSEI following rapid expansion in the defence sector.
“The defence sector is a key market for ISP and an area which we are seeing major growth,” said Mr Billington. “We have a strong reputation for delivering marine safety equipment and in particular lifejackets to military organisations across the world. This latest contract with the Pakistan Navy demonstrates our global reach and ambition to continue driving our market share.”
Mr Billington said the Assault Troop lifejackets have a low profile and compact design for use in amphibious operations. “These heavy duty lifejackets are capable of supporting combat personnel and up to 40kg of equipment,” he said. “They are easily discarded and integrate with paratrooper harnesses. They are designed for use in all geographical areas with extreme and adverse conditions.”
The latest deal comes shortly after ISP secured an agreement with the MoD to continue servicing Intrepid Once Only Survival Suits. ISP has supplied more than 30,000 suits to the MoD since striking up the relationship in 2004. The products also known as “abandonment suits” help to maximise the chance of survival for military personnel escaping stricken vessels.
They are manufactured at ISP’s Liverpool base for use across all UK MoD vessels. ISP is also announcing further expansion in international markets as it prepares to dispatch 1,000 specifically designed lifejackets to the Royal Netherlands Navy.
It has already delivered 900 of the custom-made life preservers to the Dutch force and is now due to issue 1,000 more as part of a three-year, 3,000 lifejacket contract.
ISP Managing Director John Rogers said the recent developments reinforced the firm’s credentials as an innovative and reliable British marine safety specialist.
“We are delighted to have reaffirmed our long and successful relationship with the Ministry of Defence,” said Mr Rogers. “This new agreement will see ISP continuing to service all survival suits supplied to date. They benefit from a long life expectancy with servicing taking place every five years. Abandonment suits are a crucial and potentially lifesaving piece of equipment. They are essential for the welfare of marine personnel operating in challenging conditions and need to be both reliable and durable. Our range of immersion suits are among the most highly regarded in the world providing wearers with the ultimate chance of survival in emergency situations.”
The Intrepid Once Only Survival Suit is made from tough polyurethane coated nylon. It features a full face seal and neoprene hood to help the wearer remain warm and dry. The suits are packed in multi laminate air extracted foil bags for long life protection.
They are further approved to the latest IMO SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) regulations.
MoD Maritime Spares Group Leader Cherry Proud said: “The Maritime Spares team, part of the Defence Equipment & Support organisation, is pleased to be working with ISP to implement a process that will lead to a progressive and safe extension to the life of the Intrepid Once Only Survival Suit, improving value for money whilst at the same time minimising the risk in the event of an abandonment scenario.”
ISP’s Dutch Navy deal involves inflatable collar-style life preservers which are specially designed to be worn with a Molle system on tactical waistcoats. (see notes to editors). Mr Billington said the contract needed a bespoke design as there were a number of detailed requirements requested. As a leading safety product supplier to the international military marine sector ISP used all its experience to deliver an entirely unique product for the Dutch Navy.
“We delivered a tailor made design to ensure the jackets met the needs of the Royal Netherlands Navy,” said Mr Billington. “This involved detailed work to allow the jackets to function when worn with military kit. The jackets also had to meet all the necessary safety standards and pass rigorous testing so it demanded that our technical team come up with some clever designs to bring everything together. The finished article is a bespoke product that meets all the requirements of the Dutch Navy and which is now being used widely within the force.”
ISP secured the Navy deal in cooperation with Dutch lifesaving equipment manufacturer Besto.
The lifejackets attach to existing Molle-compatible military vests. Alternatively they can be worn alone due to a removable waist belt. Each jacket is fitted with two hydrostatic operating heads which automatically inflate the twin-chamber jacket when the wearer hits the water. (see notes to editors).
Other features include a spray hood, which protects the wearer from drowning by protecting their face from sea water as they breathe and a twist lock valve on the oral tube to allow top-up of inflation if required.
For more information on ISP’s products and services contact Geoff Billington via email on gbillington@ispl.co.uk or phone +44 (0) 151 922 2202.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Technical details
· Molle is an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment.
· Molle kit is widely used by military forces across the world. It uses strong webbed strapping to attach pouches and equipment to the clothes and bags of personnel, allowing members of the armed forces to modify what they are capable of carrying depending on their role or the conditions.
· The CM Hammar MA1 hydrostatic operating head has a small CO2 canister attached via a bayonet fixture, similar to a light bulb. It also has a protected sensor valve which, when submerged, automatically triggers the canister, inflating the lifejacket.
· The spray hood folds away flat and is deployed manually. It covers the whole head, preventing water splashing into the face to reduce panic and prevent water inhalation.
ISP Fact File
· ISP was founded in 1981.
· The firm is a marine survival equipment specialist.
· In 2008 managing director John Rogers and sales director Geoff Billington undertook an MBO of the firm with backing from the Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) and the Co-operative Bank.
· ISP produces more than 170,000 products each year.
· It employs more than 100 people and has a turnover exceeding £7m.
· ISP is a leanding manufacturer and supplier of a broad range of marine safety equipment including tactical waistcoats, liferafts, Epirbs, PLBs, SARTS and marine safety lights.