Future business for CONTRAVES

The business developments toward our high technology future will start in 2012, and the following is an indication (ie not an exhaustive list) of the new business that has been secured for Contraves. 

• Airbus Electronic Subsystem Manufacturing: Last week Contraves signed an agreement with Rheinmetall for a multi-phase project to manufacture electronic subassemblies for Airbus A400M, A380 and A330 aircraft. The first phase of the program will be to manufacture PCBAs and to undertake a development program so that we can manufacture aerospace cables, source specialised components and subcontract the manufacture of housings, and then integrate the systems to ISO9100 standard. I cannot overstate the important of getting our quality processes to the highest standard for the manufacturing of these aircraft systems - I am quite sure that none of you and your family do not want to fly on an aircraft that has any component that is not assured to be of the best quality. It will soon be the case that many aircraft will fly with components manufactured by Contraves, so please consider the responsibility that places on all of us to get our manufacturing right. 

• Soldier Combat Training Centre Systems: Contraves has been selected to manufacture many thousands of sensor vests and associated electronic systems for a vast soldier combat training centre being delivered by Rheinmetall to customers in Europe and the Middle East. This will require some specialised PCBA manufacturing and assembly, and the systems will be required to operate in temperatures below -40deg to more than 50deg, and in mud and sand. Our manufacturing quality must be of the highest standard as these customers will not tolerate failures, even when operated in such harsh conditions. Contraves will also participate in the development phase where our sourcing and engineering teams will become part of the project definition. Full production will start in early 2013. 

• Reconnaissance and Surveillance Systems: Contraves has been selected by Vinghoek of Norway (a Rheinmetall group company) to source and manufacture complex surveillance system control electronics, and to integrate the complete electro-optic systems, initially for customers in Norway and Malaysia. This will require an additional investment in complex optical test equipment and specialised training of engineers to integrate and align the sensitive electro-optic sensors. This investment paves the way for Contraves to manufacture other electro-optic systems, including those from Rheinmetall in Bremen that are world leaders in this technology. This manufacturing capability does not presently exist in Malaysia, and is extremely rare outside of Europe and North America. Vinghoek is willing to make this investment because they believe that we have the potential to reach these technically very challenging standards. Project definition and basic training will start in 2012, with pre-production activities commencing in 2013. Full production will start from 2014.

• Second Generation Patrol Vessel: Contraves has teamed with a number of major defence contractors to manufacture and integrate the sensor, weapon and combat systems for Malaysia's Second Generation Patrol Vessel to be build by Boustead. Our scope will include the overall systems integration of the complete combat system under the leadership and guidance of DCNS, France's leading naval systems company that designs and builds everything from aircraft carriers to nuclear ballistic missile submarines. We will also manufacture subassemblies and undertake full system integration of the missile launcher systems, surveillance radars, fire control radars, optronic systems, sonars and combat management system for the six ships in a project that will last ten years. The program includes a vast technology transfer program with enormous opportunities for all of you to develop your career. 

• New Industrial Customers: We have also secured ABB as a customer and this manufacturing work will start in early 2012. We are also in negotiation with a number of other suppliers to expand our existing customer base. The industrial business will continue to be pursued to ensure that we retain a balanced mix of industrial, aerospace, and defence from different parts of the world.