Solid State’s Steatite wins computer consoles contract from BAE Systems

Solid State plc said that its manufacturing arm — Steatite Ltd has bagged a multi-million-pound contract from BAE Systems.

According to the UK-based electronic component manufacturing company, the contract is for designing, developing, and qualifying computer consoles for maritime platforms. The contract was awarded after a pre-qualification stage and a competitive tender process, said Solid State plc, which is engaged in supplying value added components and in the design and manufacturing of computing, power, and communications products.

Solid State said that the project will be led from Steatite’s site in Redditch by using the new EMC facility installed last year, while drawing its own technical skills.

A representative of BAE Systems said: “This is a critical path programme and our expectations are high.

“Steatite provided us with the assurance that they have the technical skills, resources and commitment to deliver against challenging timescales and meeting commercial constraints. We are looking forward to working with the team on the project.”

Solid State plc said that the multi-function use of the computer consoles will have to comply with various industry and the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) specific standards. The company stated that the challenging set of requirements called for an approach that provided innovation, agility, and value.

Matthew Richards — Managing Director at Steatite said: “We have worked with BAE Systems for many years on maritime and land based systems. I am delighted that our recent investments in test and security infrastructure and personnel combined with our existing engineering expertise has been recognised by BAE Systems.

“We have hit the ground running on the project and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with BAE Systems.”