British firm holds NAVAIR contracts exceeding $80 million
WALDORF, Md. (Nov. 4, 2008)—A British firm has given their intent to build a new facility in Charles County. Martin-Baker,
which calls itself the world’s longest established and most experienced manufacturer of ejection seats and related equipment, will locate in the also announced Indian Head Science and Technology Park in the community of Bryans Road. The UK based firm will be the first tenant of the park.
The announcement came on Tuesday, October 28, at a press event following the County’s annual Economic Development Summit. Andrew Martin, the company’s
head of business development was on hand for the announcement. Martin is also the grandson of the company’s founder, Sir James Martin.
Headquartered in Denham, England, Martin-Baker has established an extensive range of unique and modern facilities and specialized engineering capabilities to support ejection seat work and ensure that these products are of the highest quality and reliability. Saving lives is the Company’s mission, with over 7200 lives saved to date – including 40 in 2008. The company recently received the Queen’s Award for its commitment to environmental issues.
Martin-Baker was awarded a $39,723,124 firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0011) by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, in May 2007. The contract calls for 172 Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seats (NACESs), including 70 for the Navy F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G; 20 for the Navy T-45; 22 for the Marine Corps F/A-18A+; and 60 for the Government of Canada.
Martin-Baker was subsequently awarded a $42,172,647 contract modification by NAVAIR in May 2008. The modification was to exercise an option for 178 Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seats (NACESs), including 78 for the Navy F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G; 12 for the Marine Corps F/A-18A+; 46 for the Government of Canada; 42 for the Government of Australia and 285 thermal batteries for the NACES, including 251 units for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corp and 23 units for the Government of Finland and 11 units for the Government of Switzerland. In addition, this contract provides for associated component parts and production support for the U.S. Navy production aircraft and the Governments of Canada and Australia.
The new, state-of-the-art facility in Charles County will manufacture components used in the ejection process. Initially, 60 jobs will be created at the new facility, and the company anticipates future expansion to 120 jobs.
“We selected this site because of many factors, including proximity to our major customers, the availability of a highly skilled workforce and the progressive business climate that has been established by the County, State and Federal elected officials,” said Andrew Martin. “We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with Charles County.”
“We are extremely delighted and honored to welcome Martin Baker to the Charles County business community,” said Charles County Commissioner President Wayne Cooper. “Throughout our discussions with the firm, the emphasis has been on quality, reliability, safety, and green building. They needed to know that Charles County could provide a workforce that will maintain their high standards because their products are all about saving lives, and we emphasized that with our concentration of energetics technicians and training resources, Charles County has a workforce that will maintain their high standards. Mr. Martin always emphasized that they are a family owned company and like any other family owned company they would be committed to our community. We look forward to a long lasting partnership with Martin-Baker.”
Maryland State officials supported the County’s discussions with Martin-Baker. “It was truly a team effort of the State and Charles County to bring this world-class company to Maryland,” said David W. Edgerley, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, whose officials met with the company at the Farnborough Air Show earlier this year to promote the benefits of locating in Maryland. “We are confident that Martin Baker will find Charles County to have a very supportive and diverse business community and highly educated workforce that will ensure their continued success.”
Source: Charles County Board of Commissioners
RELATED INFORMATION:
260 Acre Business Park Planned in Indian Head, 1500 Tech Jobs Expected, October 28, 2008
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2008/8638.shtml
260 Acre Technology Park Planned for Indian Head, November 03, 2008
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2008/8675.shtml