Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:QTWW) today announced that its Tecstar Automotive Group was awarded a major contract by Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) of Ladson, South Carolina to provide engineering design and production support for its Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Cheetah vehicle series. Force Protection recently announced the purchase of a new 430,000 square foot facility in Roxboro, North Carolina to expand its production capacity for current and future products, including the Cheetah vehicle line.
The initial efforts under this production implementation contract included prototype vehicle builds, manufacturing process development, and pre-production vehicles. Under this follow-on contract, Quantum's Tecstar Automotive Group will be providing manufacturing engineering support to develop the plant layout, specifying and procuring required equipment and tooling, set up of the assembly line, hiring and training the workforce, and managing the production line for Force Protection's Cheetah vehicle program. The contract includes the production of the Cheetah vehicles by Tecstar.
"We are pleased to continue supporting Force Protection, Inc. in producing its advanced ballistic- and blast-protected vehicles, which have protected and saved the lives of our armed forces and security personnel overseas," said Alan Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "We look forward to applying our fast-to-market, limited volume production expertise to assist in ramping up the production and deployment of these critically-needed vehicles." |
