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Bridgeport manufacturing firm has received nearly
$2.3 million in defense contracts. By Shawn Gainer
A Bridgeport manufacturing firm has received nearly
$2.3 million in defense contracts. Congressman Alan B.
Mollohan announced Monday the contracts have been
awarded to FMW Composite Systems Inc.
A Bridgeport manufacturing firm has received nearly
$2.3 million in defense contracts. Congressman Alan B.
Mollohan announced Monday the contracts have been
awarded to FMW Composite Systems Inc.
FMW operates a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing
facility at the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex at
Benedum Airport.
FMW will manufacture 246 transportable fuel bladders
for the M1A1 Main Battle Tank. The company will make two
types of bladders: an 80-gallon model for the Egyptian
armed forces and 300-gallon bladders for use by the U.S.
Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.
The 300-gallon bladders also can be used to refuel
trucks, helicopters and airplanes, as well as tanks,
according to a statement released by Mollohan. "With its
success in supplying these systems, FMW has established
an active presence in our local manufacturing sector, "
Mollohan said. "It is an example of how we can
selectively target new business opportunities in today's
highly competitive manufacturing environment. "
Mollohan added he has worked to secure funding for
the fuel bladder program in defense department spending
bills.
According to Mollohan, more than 80 percent of FMW's
subcontract spending for the Flexcel fuel bladder
program takes place in West Virginia.
The company purchases rubber stock from Dyna-Mix Inc.
of Grafton. FMW also purchases services and training
from the Robert C. Byrd Institute Manufacturing
Technology Centers in Bridgeport and Huntington.
The company was founded in 1993 as FMW Rubber
Products and began making fuel bladders in 1995 under a
subcontract from Teledyne Vehicle Systems.
FMW then manufactured bladders under a subcontract
with General Dynamics, Corp., which manufactures the
M1A1 Abrams.
Other recent FMW projects include contributing to the
production of a fiberglass bridge deck on Interstate 81
in Virginia. |
