WFEL has secured a major new order with the UK Ministry of Defence

WFEL, the Heaton Chapel-based defence engineering company, has secured a major new order with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The business, which employs 250 people, has been awarded a £2 million contract to supply the MoD with a new 31m Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) and other support services.

The MGB is part of WFEL’s suite of bridges, which are used by armed forces in conflict zones and areas struck by natural disasters. Since the first version was launched in 1971 more than systems have been sold to over 38 armed forces across the world.

WFEL is a prime contractor to the MoD, which was the first ever customer of the MGB and takes the actual total sold to 533.

The deal also represents another success for the firm’s expanding support services arm following a £1 million repair contract that was secured with the MoD earlier this year.

WFEL has recently opened its 600 sq m bridge refurbishment facility at its Heaton Chapel headquarters.

At the same time as expanding its refurbishment and repair work with existing customers the business says it is actively targeting bridge sales in new territories in Latin America and the Far East.
Ian Wilson, WFEL’s managing director, said: “Our twin-track sales strategy focusing on new markets and long established partners like the MoD has helped keep our order books strong throughout the global recession.

“As a result, this year we’re expanding our facilities at Heaton Chapel and hope to grow our workforce in order to meet demand.”

WFEL was the subject of a £48 million management buyout in December 2006 backed by private equity firm Dunedin.