Rotherham-based MTL Advanced, a contract manufacturing specialist, has just achieved recertification to the TL-2350 approval from the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) after a rigorous audit which will allow the company to continue supplying components manufactured from armoured steel in accordance with strict German defence manufacturing standards.

MTL has proudly held the very stringent approval since December 2009 and was the first British company to ever be awarded this standard. Under the scope of the TL-2350 certification, MTL is approved to process armour parts through its complete process of cutting, pressing, machining and fabrication.

As part of the audit, MTL was also recertified to the DIN 2303 Q3 welding accreditation, which allows the company to manufacture and repair armoured welded assemblies for defence applications.

MTL Advanced general manager Karl Stewart said: “TL approval is a prerequisite for any company wanting to supply components to German Military Vehicle manufacturers. It is considered one of the leading quality standards for manufacturing within the military sector.

“MTL are currently one of two companies in the UK with the Q3 welding approval which is a mandatory requirement when supplying German military vehicle manufacturers.”

MTL’s core expertise resides in the manufacture of armoured steel, high-strength steel and aluminium sub-assemblies. The company is one of only a few global contract manufacturing companies to offer a full turnkey solution for armoured vehicle fabrication, assembly and painting.

The company has been known to handle armoured structures up to 9.6 tonnes in weight and has the capability and capacity to manufacture in significant volumes with a 28,000m² factory on a 30-acre secure site.

The recent announcement by the MoD that the UK would rejoin the Boxer programme to meet the British Army’s mechanised infantry vehicle (MIV) requirement provides an excellent opportunity for the UK manufacturing sector and companies like MTL to become key suppliers.

Mr Stewart continued: “This accreditation is a key requirement to supply parts for the MIV programme which is underway to deliver around 500 Boxer 8x8 armoured troop carriers to the British MoD.

“Being once again awarded the TL approval by the Bundeswehr demonstrates that we can meet all the quality requirements for this programme and have the systems in place to handle large scale Defence projects.”

Over the past few years MTL Advanced has invested heavily in processing equipment including fibre laser cutting, robotic pressing, CNC machining and robotic welding.

MTL can supply components in both blast and ballistic grade armour ranging from laser/waterjet cut plates including weld preparations up to fully fabricated structures including hulls and cabs.

As the leading British contract manufacturer of armoured components, from civilian and military vehicle armour to infrastructure protection, MTL Advanced has strong ties with some of the largest Defence OEMs in the world and the company has established partnerships with plate suppliers such as SSAB and Thyssenkrupp, as well as armoured aluminium and titanium mills such as ATI, Arconic and Novelis.