In a contract award that will shock no one, Ceradyne has been awarded a $40m+ contract to supply the government of Afghanistan 242,000 SAPI plates. You have to wonder if Ceradyne will somehow be recycling plates from prior recalls to fulfill this contract. I am kidding, of course. Sort of.
From a 3M press release:
Ceradyne, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3M, announced it has received an award for more than $40 million from the U.S. Government for two separate Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI) armor plate orders placed under Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract for the Government of Afghanistan. The order requires delivery of 242,000 body armor plates over a six-month period for use in support of the U.S. and coalition force efforts to increase and maintain the military capabilities of Afghan partners in assuming control of their internal security.
"The contracts were won on a competitive basis reflecting the strength of Ceradyne as a major body armor supplier to the military," said Marc King, president of Ceradyne Armor Systems.
SAPI is strong, lightweight ceramic infrastructure integrated within body armor that protects combatants.
"This order for product to outfit Afghan troops demonstrates the synergies our newly combined organizations bring to this important market," said Mark Colin, president and general manager, Ceradyne, Inc. "The contract is the first step in driving growth through international applications for 3M and Ceradyne, since 3M acquired the company in November 2012."
