Rotherham-based SME Magtec has been awarded funding through the latest rounds of the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP). They will collaborate with a higher-tier supplier who will mentor them over the duration of a forthcoming defence project.
They will receive a government grant worth 50 percent of the project value with the aim of developing innovative new solutions that meet UK defence challenges and increase capability in the UK defence supply chain.
Magtec is a designer, manufacturer and integrator of electric and hybrid drive systems for customers in the defence, rail and commercial sectors. The company is a member of the British Army’s programme to develop technologies for battlefield electrification and holds an Armed Forces Covenant Bronze Award in the Employer Recognition Scheme.
Founded in 1992, Magtec is privately owned and headquartered at a bespoke design and manufacturing facility in Rotherham.
The firm was recently visited by Secretary of State for Defence John Healey MP who described Magtec as “deeply impressive” and said that they have the “long established manufacturing skills and creative flair to improve the battlefield performance and the environmental performance of military vehicles.”
The DTEP programme, which seeks to improve the competitiveness of the UK Defence supply chain, is sponsored by the MOD’s Directorate of Industrial Strategy and Exports (DISE) and delivered through the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), Innovate UK, and ADS.
Magtec’s innovative Permanent Magnet Motors (PMM) will provide superior power to submarine systems with significantly reduced size and weight. This will in turn reduce maintenance costs substantially while increasing submarine availability and operational capacity. Magtec will be working with higher tier partner MacTaggart Scott on developing and producing the PMM.
Andy Sloan, Engineering Director at Magtec, said: “We are delighted to have won funding from the Defence and Security Accelerator and to be collaborating with MacTaggart Scott.
“Our team is developing permanent magnet motor technology for submarines, reducing weight, space, heat and noise and making the Silent Service even quieter. As a UK-based company, we are proud to be strengthening our sovereign capability.”
The SDA Supplier Management Team said: “Magtec have previous defence development experience, therefore easing their learning and journey into becoming a potential defence supplier for the Submarine Enterprise. The product they offer will be bespoke, offering the many advantages as stated, and others besides.”
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