Minister MacKay announces $15.4 million contract to DEW Engineering to
manufacture military field heaters

OROMOCTO, NB, Sept. 9 /CNW/ - DEW Engineering and Development ULC of Ottawa, Ontario and Miramichi, New Brunswick received a $15.4 million contract for the design, development and manufacturing of space and water heaters for the Department of National Defence. The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter MacKay formally announced this important program today at CFB Gagetown.

This contract for 2110 field space heaters and 520 water heaters and associated Integrated Logistics Support will provide modern, fuel efficient, clean burning heaters for use by the Canadian Forces at home and abroad. The heaters are specifically designed for extreme cold weather operation suitable for use in Canada's arctic region. The space heaters produce 100,000 BTU heating for temporary shelters and tents. The water heaters provide instantaneous, on-demand hot water for uses including field showers and dishwashing. The contract provides a mechanism for procurement of additional heaters as options.

Both heaters share a common enclosure and many internal parts to reduce maintenance and long term support cost and primarily operate on diesel fuel. DEW partnered with Polartherm of Luvia, Finland to adapt proven, existing equipment to meet the Canadian Forces requirement.  DEW will manufacture the heaters at their Ottawa, Ontario production facility. "DEW Engineering and Development is pleased to be supporting the Department of National Defence on the Field Heating Equipment program" stated DEW President Tim Dear.   "This program is complimentary to the work that DEW is currently undertaking on the MSVS Shelter Program and will both provide the Canadian Forces with an excellent product and further diversify the capabilities of DEW".

DEW Engineering and Development was established in 1978 to provide vehicle systems engineering and manufacturing for the Department of National Defence and other government agencies and companies. Today DEW is a growth oriented company employing more than 400 people in Ottawa and Miramichi. In addition to providing support to military agencies and companies in Canada, DEW is a foremost supplier of proprietary IED protective armour products to worldwide vehicle manufacturers.

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For further information:

Neil Hutton - Senior Director Business Development, Telephone [phone] Ext 115 or visit our website at www.dewengineering.com