Image caption: A Martin-Baker Ejection Seat
GTR Composites, a division of the UK-based technology group Global Technologies Racing Ltd has launched a new strategy for expansion and growth in the defence sector. To help implement this strategy, which will see GTR significantly expand their footprint in the defence and security sector, they have signed a contract with the rapidly growing defence specialist PR agency, Chamois Consulting Ltd. Chamois will help GTR with a particular focus on brand communications and PR to raise the profile and awareness of the GTR brand, globally. This announcement coincides with the Eurosatory exhibition taking place 13-17 Jun in Paris.
With a long history and rich pedigree embedded in the top echelons of motorsport, GTR are already established in the defence sector. To date, GTR has earned a successful track record in designing, manufacturing and delivering critically precise composite components for specialist use. Of particular note in the defence sector are: composite aircraft components for AW101 Merlin helicopter; composite housings for flotation and life raft systems on the Sikorsky S92 helicopter; composite components for 18 models of Martin-Baker ejection seats and the manufacture of a majority of the composite protected crew pods for fitment to the UK MoD’s Foxhound protected vehicle. This latter project saw GTR manufacture over 250 units eventually becoming the sole supplier of this specialist composite component to the Foxhound vehicle programme. At the time, this programme was an Urgent Operational Requirement, so an incredibly rapid response was required whilst maintaining the very best quality, in order to save lives in Afghanistan.
GTR’s high precision composite manufacturing capability is second to none. Selected to manufacture critical components by companies ranging from the world’s most high technology race car teams to critical medical equipment manufacturers, the skills, quality and attention to detail embedded into GTR’s processes are more than a match for precision aerospace and military applications. With over 250 highly skilled staff on-site, GTR’s production facilities include x10 in-house autoclaves ranging in sizes up to 3m in diameter and 5.5m in length. This allows GTR to handle both micro components and larger vehicle sized assemblies.
Simon Kingdon-Butcher, Co-founder, Owner and Director at GTR said: “for many years we’ve been successfully proving ourselves in our core sector of high-performance motorsport and automotive whilst at the same time, delivering some programmes to other sectors such as defence. We’ve made the decision to apply some more focus to the defence sector and bringing Chamois onboard is the first step in that direction”. He added: “we have a highly appropriate capability offering that we know could be applied across the defence sector and Chamois will be helping us to reach new audiences with our key messages”.
Jamie Clarke, CEO at Chamois said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected by GTR to help them expand and grow their business across the defence sector. GTR is a simply fascinating company with specialist skills, expertise and production capability that we are convinced will be of benefit in high technology applications all over the defence sector. I’m really looking forward to working with GTR!”.