Astor Defence, a company that safeguards the world’s military assets, has leapt forward with its latest investment – a production facility.
The company has unveiled plans to expand on the South Coast of England to bolster British engineering and amplify its global presence. The military packaging manufacturer is set to transform their operations, integrating technology to meet the escalating demands of the defence sector.
Astor’s expansion encompasses a host of additions, including an assembly line featuring a six-stage zinc phosphate pre-treatment plant conforming to the stringent military specification TTC490. This is complemented by a fully automated powder coating and wet paint line capable of churning out over 5000 boxes per day and an automated UV print line, the facility is poised to set new benchmarks in military packaging.
The investment extends beyond production, with in-house laboratories featuring advanced testing equipment such as the Dycometal SSC 2000 salt fog corrosion chamber, tensile weld test machines, elevated temperature storage test ovens, and the latest applied vacuum engineering test chambers for air tightness testing. This testing suite ensures Astor maintains its commitment to quality and precision.
Managing director Henry Turnbull expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “These state-of-the-art facilities open doors to unparalleled possibilities for our customers. By conducting all required testing in-house and shifting our manufacturing entirely to the UK, we align with the growing emphasis on national manufacturing industries by UK, US, and European Governments.”
The move has captured international attention, with representatives from the US Army scheduled to visit in March for a first article acceptance test. Approval is anticipated to pave the way for US Government contracts, further solidifying Astor’s global standing.
In addition to technological advancements, the expansion is set to bring economic vitality to the local communities of Southampton and Portsmouth. Astor plans to expand its workforce, offering employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers, contributing to the region’s prosperity.
Astor Defence is diversifying. The investment reinforces its place in military packaging and also signals a move towards catering to other specialised, technical industries.
