11 December 2008
Surface Transforms Plc
("Surface Transforms" or "the Company")
New Orders in the Defence Sector
Surface Transforms (AIM:SCE) is pleased to announce three further orders from
MBDA with a combined value in excess of £150,000, all of which will be
delivered and invoiced within the current financial year. The orders are for
the continued development of new material technologies for attitude control
systems applicable to a range of European guided weapons. MBDA is owned jointly
by BAE Systems, EADS and Finmeccanica and is the largest missile manufacturer
in Europe. The Directors are hopeful that the Company will receive further
business from MBDA.
These new orders are in addition to, and in parallel with a three year fixed
term contract announced in February 2008 from MBDA to the value of £150,000,
which is financially supported by the UK and French Ministries of Defence as
part of the Innovation and Technology Partnership ("ITP") on Materials and
Components for Missiles.
The ITP contract concentrates on the generation of dedicated design data for
Surface Transforms' range of carbon-ceramic composite materials, whereas work
under the new orders focuses more on component design, fabrication and test
performance, and looks towards possible future qualification and
commercialisation.
Commenting, Kevin Johnson, Chief Executive of Surface Transforms, said:
"We are particularly pleased to receive these orders which represent a further
endorsement of MBDA's commitment to Surface Transforms' technology and
products. Earlier work with MBDA over the past three years has shown that
carbon-ceramic is now a strategic material which gives significant performance
advantages over carbon-carbon and huge weight savings over advanced metal
alloys. We can deliver distinct cost benefits with improved performance using
our proprietary technology. The new accelerated work programme with MBDA also
extends the reach of our technology and products from the automotive and
aircraft markets, to the defence sector."
Surface Transforms is the only UK supplier of this strategic material. This is
derived from the Company's core business in automotive ceramic brakes where
high quality at affordable cost has driven the technology to quicker
manufacturing processes with reduced costs. The IPR for the Company's
carbon-ceramic products is held in the combination of the three key process
stages: carbon fibre pre-forms, carbon matrix CVI, and silicon melt
infiltration.
For further Company details visit www.surface-transforms.com
ENQUIRIES:
Surface Transforms plc
Kevin Johnson Tel: 0151 356 2141
Geoff Hall
John East & Partners Limited
Simon Clements Tel: 020 7628 2200
Hansard Group (PR)
John Bick Tel: 020 7245 1100
Chris Roberts
Redmayne Bentley (Private Client
Broker)
Lucy Clapham Tel: 01943 886600
Simon Flather

