A CO TYRONE company has won a £6 million (€7.09 million) contract to supply protective body armour to eight Scottish police forces.
Hawk Protection, based in Fivemiletown, won the order to supply, fit and maintain the protective clothing which can withstand ballistic, stab and spike attacks.
The company, part of the Cooneen clothing group, employs some 110 workers and already supplies military customers in Europe, the US and Asia using new materials from DuPont, Teijin and DSM Dynemma.
Since 2003 it has won orders from the Irish Army, the British ministry of defence, the US army, the Pakistan navy, the ministry of defence in Brunei, the Kuwaiti ministry of interior as well as other emergency services.
Hawk managing director Eugene Greene said the contract was a particularly satisfying award. It followed many years of research and development, he said.Arlene Foster, Stormont Minister for Enterprise, said that the order proved that Northern Ireland could establish itself in key niche markets as a specialist provider.
"Since its formation the company has become one of the main worldwide suppliers of clothing to military, police and emergency services.
"I am delighted that they have now won this Scottish contract and will be able to add the Scottish police to their ever growing portfolio."
The contract, which is due to start immediately, is the culmination of a competitive tender process managed by Strathclyde Joint Police Board on behalf of all eight Scottish forces.
Elsewhere there was gloomier news for the Northern economy with up to 95 manufacturing jobs expected to go at a Co Down aircraft seat manufacturer.
B/E Aerospace in Kilkeel employs more than 800 people but it announced last night it was downsizing its operations "to protect long-term viability".
Managing director Sean Cromie said the industry was "not immune to global economic conditions. This has led to a requirement for us to downsize our business by about 10 per cent in order to protect long-term viability in a very competitive market."
In Derry some 100 workers at a plant which makes car components are awaiting confirmation that redundancies are due.
Calcast manufactures aluminium engine components for the Ford Explorer and is awaiting confirmation from directors meeting in Paris that up to 100 jobs are to go. The company faces a significant downturn in the 4-wheel-drive vehicle market, with analysts pointing to the limited availability of credit.