Traditionally, TTems has focussed on the telecoms and industrial markets. In order to enhance and grow sales opportunities in different market sectors, TTems set up a new team tasked with exploring new markets to provide the company with increased stability. The team consists of Graham Davies (TT electronics Divisional Director), Helen Lewis (Commercial Manager), Keith Warner, (Business Development Manager) and the Company's Directors.
Helen joined TTems from a solid background in the defence arena so it seemed a logical choice for the new team to take advantage of Helen's knowledge and explore opportunities within the defence industry for TTems.
TTems offers an extensive range of manufacturing services from PCB design and design for manufacturing to a full after sales service. This means that every aspect of a project can be undertaken on the client's behalf which in turn can save customers valuable time and money. With a process controlled oriented service offering, customers can look upon TTems as an extension of their own facility. Complementing its years' of experience in electronic manufacturing services, TTems has also achieved various quality approvals, in particular ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001, and automotive accreditation TS16949:2002, which is now utilised by some of the defence players.
There was a natural appeal to the potential defence customers as TTems has a strong programme management culture, which enabled dedicated team members to manage defence contracts. This approach was strengthened further with the comprehensive support offered by TTems' multi-functional team of skilled specialists in engineering and quality manufacturing right through to finance.
TTems recognised the assistance and opportunities that the Welsh Assembly and its agencies could offer to help the company achieve its new business goals. It was through TTems' partnership with the Welsh Assembly and associates that TTems recognised the importance of having a strong US presence if the company was to be taken seriously as a manufacturing services provider to the defence industry.
The USA is the world's biggest defence market, and the UK government currently buys from Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin to name just a few. TTems sought to target these key defence players in both the UK and North America , and took the initiative to seek opportunities arising in the North American defence market via Industrial Participation. These programmes present valuable offset credit opportunities to US defence and avionic OEMs.
As a result, TTems began a US tour some 24 months ago where introductory meetings were held with leading defence companies. Since then, TTems has maintained these relationships and has also appointed a US agent - T squared - to pursue future US opportunities.
TTems has already made significant progress building its customer base since embarking on its quest to secure new defence contracts, initially securing a project with Ultra Electronics Sonar and Communications Systems, a world leading designer and supplier of advanced sonobuoys. TTems currently shares with Ultra Electronics in-house capabilities, the manufacture of all sonobuoy cards for Ultra Electronics Sonar and Communications Systems which are used in the highly sensitive acoustic sensors that are dropped from maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters. Thanks to a successful programme and consistently good levels of quality, TTems is now involved in the Design for Manufacture and full prototyping / pre-production requirement.
TTems' next big defence project was from the UK arm of the Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) (Harris Systems Ltd) - a leading supplier of tactical radios for worldwide defence forces, when TTems was awarded a major subcontract in support of the UK Ministry of Defence's Bowman Programme. TTems is producing and delivering fully radio-frequency tested box-build assemblies that Harris then integrates into its high-frequency (HF) Bowman radio units. The current contract is due to end in late 2006, however, an extension to the project beyond 2006 is already being discussed together with other potential projects. Successful delivery of this programme, together with consistently high standards of quality means that TTems is now well positioned to tender for new opportunities within other Harris corporation divisions.
Continuing its contract wins in the defence arena, TTems announced a new contract with BAE Systems - Platform Solutions division in Plymouth - to assist with the manufacture of a missile guidance system for state of the art, next generation, anti-tank weapon (NLAW) for the UK 's Armed Forces. Platform Solutions operates under the umbrella of its BAE North American subsidiary. TTems has been commissioned to manufacture the electrical components and advanced flexi-rigid boards used within the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), which is the core of the missile's guidance system.
TTems' relationship with BAE Systems is now developing further, with BAE Systems taking further advantage of some of the front-end services provided by TTems for other IMU programmes. Currently heavily involved with BAE Systems in the PCB lay-outs and ‘Design for Manufacture', TTems is affirming its market position as a one-stop-solution from concept to end of product life.
TTems' presence at the recent Farnborough Airshow, supported by Aerospace Wales, demonstrates its commitment to maintain its focus in this area. One programme for which there was intense interest at the show was the Watchkeeper programme for which TTems has already received significant interest from SUPACAT, a member of the Thales Watchkeeper programme. Thales is the world leader in electronic systems and industrial electronics for defence and aerospace industries.
TTems has built a strong team capable of providing the services that defence and avionics industries require, and has the vision to drive forward new contract awards in this important area.
Andrew Cox, Director and General Manager at TTems Rogerstone, comments:
"For the remainder of 2004, TTems will continue to push forward in its drive for new defence and aerospace contracts. With many new defence business leads in the pipeline, TTems has made a long-term commitment to growing its presence and credibility within the defence arena, and believes that this is one growth area in a competitive marketplace where it has something substantial to offer with its bespoke service offerings."
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