WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Plasan Wins Contract, Adds Jobs
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Bennington, Vermont - August 19, 2009
More than 50 new jobs are headed to Bennington.
Plasan North America won a $1.9 billion government contract to begin manufacturing armor for the U.S. military's new all-terrain vehicles. Larger versions of the vehicles are already being used in Iraq and Afghanistan and are built to withstand blasts from roadside bombs. The smaller M-ATVs are just as sturdy but will be used primarily in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan.
"This serves a purpose because in the Afghanistan terrain heavy vehicles don't have the maneuverability, so right now the soldiers have to make the decision whether to go in a lighter, less armored vehicle or go out in a heavier vehicle and not be able to meet all the mission requirements," U.S. Army Lt. Col. Coll Haddon explained.
Right now Plasan can place armor on about 80 vehicles a month but by year's end will be prepared to armor 1,000 vehicles a month.
The company is also looking to build an additional plant in the Bennington area.
Keagan Harsha - WCAX News
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