Member Article

Liverpool marine firm extends MoD deal

Marine firm, International Safety Products (ISP) has extended its eight-year long contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The Liverpool-based business has signed an agreement to continue servicing the “Intrepid Once Only Survival Suits” it supplies to the Ministry.

Also known as “abandonment suits”, the kit is made of tough polyurethane coated nylon and is used to increase military forces’ chances of survival in dangerous situations at sea.

ISP manufactures the suits at its base in Bootle and has supplied over 30,000 of them to the MoD since they partnered in 2004.

The firm is a major manufacturer of inflatable lifejackets, survival equipment and also makes a range of “tactical waistcoats” and inflatable liferafts.

Managing director John Rogers bought ISP in 2008 and said the deal with MoD has reinforced the firm’s reputation as an innovative British marine safety specialist.

He added: “This new agreement will see ISP continuing to service all survival suits supplied to date. They benefit from a long life expectancy with servicing taking place every five years.

“Abandonment suits are a crucial and potentially life-saving piece of equipment. They are essential for the welfare of marine personnel operating in challenging conditions and need to be both reliable and durable.

“Our range of immersion suits are among the most highly regarded in the world providing wearers with the ultimate chance of survival in emergency situations.”

MoD’s maritime spares group leader, Cherry Proud, commented: “The Maritime Spares team, part of the Defence Equipment & Support organisation, is pleased to be working with ISP to implement a process that will lead to a progressive and safe extension to the life of the Intrepid Once Only Survival Suit, improving value for money whilst at the same time minimising the risk in the event of an abandonment scenario.”

Co-owner and sales and marketing director, Geoff Billington, bought the company with Mr Rogers in 2008 with support from the Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF) and Cooperative Bank.

He commented: “Our Intrepid range of immersion suits are tried and tested in the harshest environments. They provide wearers with excellent manoeuvrability, both in and out of the water.

“We can also deliver bespoke designs to meet our customer’s requirements. The rigorous inspection of all our products is part of ISP’s ethos to provide internationally renowned marine safety products of the highest quality.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .