Avon Rubber inks respirator agreement with UK government

Melksham, UK – Avon Rubber plc has entered into a five-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the resupply and in-service support of its general service respirator, the company has announced.

Production is expected to commence during the first half of 2019, after product approvals are complete, said Avon.

The rubber goods manufacturer said it anticipated the deal to generate revenues in the order of £16 million (€18 million) over the five-year period.

In 2017 Avon posted 14.2% year-on-year rise in sales to £163.2 million, mainly driven by  strongdemand for its law-enforcement and fire-protection products.

The company announced in November last year that it had noted significant opportunities in an expanding military-product market.

“Fatal acts of terrorism in the US and Europe have buoyed demand for gas masks that shows little signs of waning any time soon,” said Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index commenting on Avon’s results.

“Avon is in the enviable position of being the sole gas-market contractor to the US Department of Defense,” added Cincotta, who went on to suggest that an acquisition “could be on the cards” for the rubber products company.