Any time, any place

AN Oldham firm has won a contract to supply the Army, Navy and Air Force with with an innovative engineering solution — work which could last for nine years.

Merkle UK, in Hollinwood, has been supplying the Army with the Infield Welding Solution for several years.

Weighing several tonnes, the kit includes a generator and a range of welding and engineering equipment which makes it totally self-sufficient and sustainable in any terrain or situation.

When the Government introduced the Tripartite Initiative, new rules for supplying the armed forces, Merkle owners Tony and Nadia Sydall, from Glossop, were required to re-tender for a contract they already had in place for a further two-and-a-half years.

A delighted Mr Syddall said: “The outcome was a new contract to supply this kit to all three armed services, for five years and, if everything goes to plan, the contract can be extended for a further four years without recourse to a new tendering process.”

Mr Syddall, who has spent a lifetime in engineering, designed the equipment, which is manufactured by Merkle Gmbh in Germany.

Around 90 pieces are in service and have been delivered to the Ministry of Defence all over the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

He added: “The solution is designed to sit on a standard Army trailer. It is now also used by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.”

Mr Syddall and his wife run the business from the headquarters of Metconnect, a new building in Tweedale Way, offering welding and equipment and spares.

There is sufficient business for the Syddalls to believe their Oldham firm will not only grow organically but will expand through acquisitions.