17 Dec 2007 | Ref. 395/2007
UNION COUNTY, North Carolina – BAE Systems held a special grand opening ceremony today to celebrate the expansion of its Tensylon® High Performance Materials facility in Monroe, North Carolina. The expanded 48,000 sq. ft. facility will be used to support production of troop protection products, such as wheeled-vehicle systems, helmets and body armor for military customers.
The 18,000 sq. ft of additional manufacturing space allows BAE Systems to expand its production of Tensylon® materials, which are derived from an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene polymer and utilized in a wide variety of applications, including advanced fiber composites in ballistic products.
“We are pleased to expand our operations in Union County and North Carolina. We have a very dedicated workforce and Monroe is a terrific community. We appreciate the support we have received from the State and the County and look forward to contributing to the economic vitality of the region,” said Linda Hudson, President of BAE Systems Land and Armaments.
Attending the opening were North Carolina Lt. Governor Beverley Perdue, Congressman Robin Hayes (R-NC, 8th District), Congresswoman Sue Myrick (R-NC, 9th District) and Maurice D. Ewing, president and CEO, Union County Partnership for Progress.
“One economic engine that I think holds tremendous potential for our region is defense,” said Congressman Hayes. “Jobs, economic development and more opportunity in Union County are a constant priority, and this facility is a great victory.”
"BAE Systems’ investment in North Carolina is a reflection of our strong and skilled workforce and our continued success in growing the state's $18 billion military economy,” said Lt. Governor Perdue.
The facility was created in partnership with a $40,000 One North Carolina Fund grant and an economic development grant of up to $86,820 provided by the Union County Board of Commissioners. BAE Systems has invested $7.9 million during 2007 in Monroe.
The expanded capacity will add up to 42 jobs, including positions in engineering and production. BAE Systems Tensylon High Performance Materials, originally known as Integrated Textile Systems, Inc., joined BAE Systems in July 2007 as part of the Armor Holdings acquisition.
Tensylon® high performance fiber or tape can be processed into any number of specialty tailored composites, depending on the application requirements. Many of BAE Systems new and unique solutions for emerging blast and ballistic threats will incorporate Tensylon high performance materials.
“This is a young technology and our team is proud to be pioneers in the development, manufacturing and marketing of Tensylon® for the protection of our many men and women serving in the Armed Forces. We are really excited by the overall value Tensylon® products offer in survivability as well as non-armor applications”, said Lisa Owen, Vice President and General Manager of BAE Systems Tensylon High Performance Materials.
Tensylon® is demonstrating great promise in a broad range of BAE Systems applications, including tracked and tactical wheeled vehicles, commercial armored vehicles and individual equipment, such as helmets and body armor. Other applications include aerospace, sporting goods, high performance sails, ropes, cordage and netting. Tensylon® proprietary products create a unique combination of ballistic and structural performance, weight and cost savings when compared to other high performance fiber materials, including para-aramids, fiberglass and other ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded $27 billion in 2006*.
*On a pro forma basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings Inc for the whole of 2006
For further information, please contact
:Jessica Pantages, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 703 312 6157 Mobile: +1 703 439 0345
jessica.pantages@baesystems.com
Susan Lenover, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 703 907 8259 Mobile: + 1 703 850 1621
susan.lenover@baesystems.com
