MELKSHAM, England—Avon Rubber has reported "continued good order intake" for its personal protection systems for military and emergency service users.
"We have seen positive order momentum in the military, first responder and Team Wendy businesses," Avon said at its Feb. 4 update on trading for its fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
The group is "confident of achieving its expectations for the current financial year" thanks to progress over contracts to supply new body armor to the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency and the U.S. Army.
Avon also reported new orders under a NATO support and procurement agency contract, with the Netherlands becoming the fourth country to join the program.
Following approval of the U.S. defense budget, the group expects further orders under long-term contracts during the first half of the 2021 financial year.
Avon said a protest against the U.S. Army's "next generation integrated head protection system" sole-source contract means the contract has to be re-tendered.
Within its first responder business, Avon reported strong demand across its respiratory protection range, in part driven by the ongoing pandemic.
"We have also continued to see a strong pipeline of opportunities to further broaden our customer base across both our respiratory and ballistic product portfolios," the group said.
