Recent contracts wins in the UK and US have strengthened specialist defence manufacturer Avon Technologies’ long-term order book and boosted its growth plans, shareholders were told today.
The Melksham-based group, which specialises in protective gear, masks and breathing equipment for the military and first-responder markets, said first quarter trading had been in line with its expectations with “continued order momentum”.
Avon used its AGM this morning to highlight two recent order wins – an $18m (£14.5m) delivery order for its Next Generation Integrated Head Protection System (NG IHPS) helmet from the US Army, and the renewal of a contract valued up to £10m with defence group Thales UK to support its critical UK military programme.
The group, which employs more than 900 people in seven locations in the UK and North America, also said it continued to make good operational progress on its STAR strategy, a five-pronged transformation strategy launched 20 months ago.
START aims to embed a culture of continuous improvement alongside its focus on footprint optimisation and operational excellence.
Shareholders were today the group’s board remained confident that its strategic initiatives would support sustained growth and improved returns over the long term and that Avon remained “well positioned to deliver exceptional shareholder value”.
Last November Avon said that US police forces preparing for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics were giving it a boost, with inquiries for its ballistic helmets and respiratory protection.
It also said the current geopolitical situation continued to support demand for its masks and helmets used by first responders and the military.
These included a rise in perceived threat levels including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks, along with continued equipment modernisation programmes by NATO countries.
The group changed its name in 2021 from Avon Rubber to Avon Protection and then, last summer, changed it again to Avon technologies.
