Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Business
Michael Bow

Avon Rubber clinches $250m contract to provide US Army with hi-tech masks

Avon Rubber, the UK industrials group, will supply American Special Forces with chemical and biological protection masks after clinching a $246 million (£186 million) US Department of Defense contract.

The mask, known as the M53A1, protects against radioactive dust and biological weapons.

The deal will run for up to seven years and includes self-contained breathing apparatus.

Chief executive Paul McDonald said the deal showed Avon’s “ongoing focus on technological excellence”.

In January it won an order from the US for M69 aircrew masks used by fighter pilots.

Avon, which has a £400 million market valuation, was founded in 1885 and originally made rubber for tyres and conveyor belts.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.