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Press releases 2002

13 December 2002 V-MT installs latest Infra Red Wireless Technology into Police Headquarters Northamptonshire Police Headquarters approached V-MT to install their latest IR technology to provide voice and data connectivity between the headquarters and the operations centre. The technology used gives 4 x 2 megabit/second channels capable of supporting the voice and datachannels for the police operations centre. Our infrared wireless (IW) system manufactured by Sceptre Communications, is similar to a fixed wireless (microwave or RF) system except that information is carried by infrared beam rather than by an RF carrier. IW systems generally have smaller transceiver units and much smaller/sharper beam widths. They are also referred to as Free Space Infrared communications systems. Sceptre’s IW transmitters use wide band light-emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of narrow band lasers to generate the infrared beam. Like all fixed wireless systems, IW requires a line of sight between locations. The systems are designed to work in the infrared area of the electromagnetic spectrum,
13 December 2002 V-MT Wins Contract to Fit Out the First Bowman Equipped Vehicles BOWMAN is the £1.7bn secure digtial combat net radio system for the British Armed Forces. The contract was awarded to Computing Devices Canada, a unit of U.S. based General Dynamics Corporation. The BOWMAN system will replace the obsolete CLANSMAN range of radios, which are more than 25 years old. It will be the largest defence communications programme in the UK in over 50 years. The contract will see V-MT fit out the first 40 LandRovers commencing in March 2003. These vehicles will form the basis for the technical field trials.
13 December 2002 V-MT Delivers First Electronic Warfare Vehicles V-MT recently secured a contract with Thales Sensors to procure, design and fit out three 6x6 Pinzgauer vehicles to accept a new electronic warfare system for the UK Army. The vehicles, part of an Electronic Support Measures system, are built to very exacting standards and specification. Prior to delivery the first vehicle recently underwent full acceptance trials including mobility and airportability. The roll out of these vehicles has earned V-MT high praise, and the customer is more than satisfied with the fit and finish of the platforms. V-MT personnel have been involved in the insatallation of electronic communications equipment into military and civilian vehicles for over 25 years. The versatile nature of the vehicle installation teams, enable them to work effectively and efficiently on most types of vehicle. The team also provide advice and guidance on vehicle layout and design to optimise operational capabilities. The vehicle refit team are supported by comprehensive wor
13 December 2002 Vosper-ManTech and VT Merlin Communications Integrate Business Development Resources As part of the ongoing V-MT and VT Merlin integration plan, V-MT now shares its resources with Merlin. In the past few months V-MT have grown its business development team with the addition of Shaune Pates as ICT Sales Manager. Shaune joins us an brings a wealth of experience in ICT sales. Phil Jones - Business Devlopment Manager now concentrates on Military, Security and Government customers. Becoming part of the overall VT Merlin team and reporting to Kevin Cawood - Director of Critical Communications Services will benefit the two companies and make the sales and marketing operation more effective.
06 December 2002 VT Merlin and Sentech deliver programmes for UNICEF's international children's day of broadcasting VT Merlin Communications, part of VT Group plc has donated twelve hours of transmission capacity to UNICEF as part of the International Children's Day of Broadcasting on Sunday 8th December 2002.
29 November 2002 First Hellenic Navy 62M. FAC launched at Elefsis The first of three fast attack craft designed by VT (Vosper Thornycroft) Shipbuilding for the Hellenic Navy and built by Elefsis Shipyards (ES) in Greece has been launched.
28 November 2002 Elefsis and VT set for Corvette contracts Vosper Thornycroft (VT) Shipbuilding, in partnership with Elefsis Shipyards, has been named as the preferred supplier for a 415 million Euro contract to build the new corvette for the Hellenic Navy. A contract is expected to be signed by the first part or the middle of next year.
20 November 2002 satID host international satellite intererence conference in Singapore satID will be hosting the Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group's (SUIRG) conference at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore between 19th and 21st November 2002. satID, the satellite interference and detection system launched by VT Merlin Communications and QinetiQ will be fully operational in Singapore from November 2002.
11 November 2002 Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2002 VT Group plc (“VT”), the government support services and shipbuilding group, announces further progress in its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2002.
11 November 2002 Chairman's Interim Statement 2002 The results for the six months to the end of September 2002 continue to reflect the strong overall position of the Group. Profit before goodwill and exceptional items increased by 6% to £18.1m on turnover of £269m, up 34% on the corresponding period last year. Earnings per share before goodwill and exceptional items were 6.9p.
07 November 2002 VT unveils major recruitment and training plans Around 1,000 new jobs will be created on the South Coast if Vosper Thornycroft (VT) Shipbuilding is successful in securing a significant involvement in design, construction and support of the Royal Navy’s Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF).
05 November 2002 VT Halmatic MRV20 heads north of the border The latest VT Halmatic MRV20 multi-role vessel has recently entered service with Gareloch Support Services (Plant) Ltd based on the Clyde Estuary. “Laura M” is classified to MCA Category 2 and is a sistership to the vessel recently supplied to Harwich Haven Authority with a heavier structure to cope with the anticipated work loads.
05 November 2002 HRH THE DUKE OF YORK On October 12th, during his official visit to the United Arab Emirates, His Royal Highness, the Duke of York, Great Britain’s Prince Andrew visited Abu Dhabi Ship Building for a presentation and tour of the Mussafah shipyard.
05 November 2002 Part Selector Live On Line VT Marine Products innovative new part selector is now available on line.
05 November 2002 VT Controls Staff Pass Internal Auditing Course with Flying Colours. Key members of staff from the Cosham and Wardley sites of VT Controls Ltd have all successfully completed an Internal Quality System Auditing Course.
14 October 2002 Flagship secures two overseas training contracts Flagship Training Ltd has signed two significant overseas training contracts in the last month.
04 October 2002 Astute Project Supply Chain in First 'Excellence Signing' The following article appeared in BAE SYSTEMS Wavelength Newsletter Issue 5 September 2002 The first major supplier to the Astute project's Barrow operation has been signed up to BAE SYSTEMS' Supply Chain Excellence programme - which is being pioneered in the company's naval sector by the Astute programme.
02 October 2002 VT Ocean Sciences pledges support for European Marine Scientists VT Ocean Sciences, a joint venture between VT Group and the University of Wales at Bangor, is to launch a scheme to assist the European marine science fraternity by offering ship time on its recently-built research vessel Prince Madog.
01 October 2002 VT Halmatic strengthens Hellenic links Specialist boatbuilder VT Halmatic is extending its links with Greece by supplying three Arctic 20 rigid inflatable boats to be operated from the three Super Vita Class fast attack craft being built for the Hellenic Navy.
01 October 2002 Engine change for Hellenic Navy MCMVs VT Integrated Logistics (VTIL) is working with Elefsis Shipyards in Elefsina, to replace the major propulsion units of two former Royal Navy Hunt Class mine countermeasures ships transferred to the Hellenic Navy.
01 October 2002 VT Controls awarded automation contract VT Controls, part of the VT Group, have been awarded a contract by Neorion Shipyards located in Syros Greece for two ship sets of the Centralized Monitoring and Control (CMAC) Automation Systems for installation in luxury passenger vessels currently under construction.
26 September 2002 BAE SYSTEMS and VT Group extend shareholding in Flagship BAE SYSTEMS and VT Group today announced that they have acquired Johnson Controls Limited's 26 per cent share of Flagship Training Limited (Flagship). Both companies had previously held a 37 per cent share in Flagship but this agreement now provides for 50/50 joint ownership.
05 September 2002 VT Group plc announces appointment of new Non Executive Director VT Group plc is pleased to announce the appointment with effect from September 5 2002 of Andrew Given as a non-executive director of the company. The appointment follows a comprehensive search by specialist executive search consulting firm Spencer Stuart.
04 September 2002 Essential Fisheries Research The Prince Madog is in the English Channel to enable the University of Wales Bangor's School of Ocean Sciences to study the biological benefits of new approaches to fisheries management.
29 August 2002 VT Merlin contribute to lanuch of satellite VT Merlin Communications, part of the VT Group plc, played a role in the launch and early orbit phase of the first ‘Meteosat Second Generation’ (MSG1) satellite launched on an Ariane 5 rocket on August 28th at 22:30 (GMT) from Kourou, French Guiana.
20 August 2002 Careerline Usage Careerline is Careers Management's freephone telephone and e-mail service, providing fast and easy access to careers information and advice when young people and parents need it most - outside normal office hours.
15 August 2002 Kent and Medway Higher Education Convention 6,162 students attended the Kent & Medway Higher Education Convention in April 2002. Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive.
12 August 2002 Surrey Careers Resources Fair Careers Management Surrey held its annual careers resources fair at the Dorking Halls on 19 June 2002.
08 August 2002 VT Marine Products Open Golf The annual VT MARINE PRODUCTS Open Golf tournament took place at Blacknest Golf course on the afternoon of Friday 12TH July 2002. 21 competitors took part this year 10 VT & 11 guests The weather forecast was not good for the day but with only a very small shower the weather stayed fine for the event. This year the handicaps were ¾ but we still had some good scores with the winners listed below
02 August 2002 John Downing for President! At this year's Institute of Career Guidance (ICG) Conference in September, John Downing, General Manager of Surrey Careers Services, will be installed as the President of the Institute.
17 July 2002 Corporate Image Rollout Starts The new Image programme has started with the publishing on the Website of the Corporate Image Manual. This contains the templates for all stationary items, and the Logos for all VT Group Companies. A printing contractor will be selected on 18 July and they will undertake the printing of new stationary as approved by The Company Secretary. A signage contractor (Eberhardt) has been selected and they are commencing site visits to prepare proposals for new signage in line with the Corporate guidelines. It is intended that use of the new image should commence from 1 August.
16 July 2002 Rollout Programme underway The programme for the introduction of the new VT Image has stated. Eberhardt have been selected as the Signage Contractor and are commencing as series of site visits. Proformas for all Stationary items are being published on the website. The Helvetica Font which is to be adopted as the new Company standard has been aquired and will be installed by individual IT departments. The license for its use has been procured through Leepeckgreenfield.
16 July 2002 VT Controls join GAMBICA VT Controls of Cosham, Portsmouth recently became a member of GAMBICA , the trade association representing instrumentation, control and automation companies in the UK. The photo shows George Fraser, Deputy Director of GAMBICA (2nd left) presenting the membership certificate to John Frost, General Manager, during a recent visit to VT Controls offices in Portsmouth. Also pictured are (left) John Stansfield, Business Development Manager, VT Controls and (right) Ian Clasper, Senior Executive, GAMBICA
16 July 2002 Merlin host HF users group meeting Merlin recently hosted a meeting of the HF Users Group. The group was formed to try and protect HF services in the face of potential interference from new and established broadband technologies.
16 July 2002 Surrey Careers Higher Education Convention Surrey Careers' annual Higher Education Convention for schools and colleges was held at Surrey University on 18 April 2002. Due to the cancellation of another event in west London, there was heavy demand for places and attendance was a record high of just over 5500 students. There were 121 stands representing Higher Education establishments from all over the country as well as related organisations. The one day event was followed by a parents evening; over 180 parents attended presentations on various issues affecting students entering higher education. A great deal of work was put in by all concerned and it paid off: the day was a resounding success.
05 July 2002 Paul Lester takes over CEO Role at VT Group Paul Lester has taken over as Chief Executive of VT Group plc, the successful support services, shipbuilding and marine products company.
05 July 2002 Name change and Share Split The following resolutions were passed today at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held at the Vosper Thornycroft and Social Club, Hamilton Road, Portchester, Hampshire:
27 June 2002 Construction of new VT shipbuilding factory progresses Construction is well underway on Vosper Thornycroft’s new £40m. shipbuilding factory at Portsmouth Naval Base that will initially be used to build blocks for the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyer.
27 June 2002 Shetland Island pilot boat refit secured An extensive refit and refurbishment by Halmatic at its Portchester shipyard is set to provide the Shetland Islands with a totally revamped pilot boat for use in the arduous waters around the islands.
27 June 2002 Survey ships to be fitted with Halmatic craft Two of the most successful products from the Halmatic range are to be included on a pair of new advanced 90m. oceanographic and hydrographic survey ships prime contracted by parent group Vosper Thornycroft Shipbuilding.
27 June 2002 Early success for new Halmatic Cara marine range The first pilot boat work to result from Halmatic's acquisition of the Cara Marine workboat range will see a 52 ft launch for the Clyde Ports Authority built at Halmatic's Portchester shipyard.
25 June 2002 Merlin sign contract with Family Radio Merlin Communications International, now part of the Vosper Thornycroft Group, has signed a contract with religious broadcaster, Family Radio to deliver current Family Radio programming on its global short wave network. In addition to the existing transmissions, Merlin will provide an additional seven hours programming a day.
19 June 2002 Merlin win QinetiQ Defford contract Merlin Communications, now part of the Vosper Thornycroft Group has been awarded a prestigious five-year contract with QinetiQ for the operation and maintenance of its satellite ground station in Defford, Worcestershire, UK.
17 June 2002 VT Advance Welcomes a Third Group of Employees to the Programme VT are pleased to announce that a third group of Participants have joined the Group Management Development Programme - VT Advance.
05 June 2002 River class represent new generation of fishery protection ships HMS Tyne, the first in a new generation of fishery protection vessels for the Royal Navy has been launched at Vosper Thornycroft's Woolston, Southampton, shipyard.
01 June 2002 Vosper Announce Online Parts Locator ! Following feedback from many customers around the world vosper stabilisers has announced today their intent to launch a Online Vosper stabilisers parts identifier.
31 May 2002 Halmatic delivers RIBs to Russia Halmatic, the leading commercial and military boat builder, has delivered six Pacific 22 MkI rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) to JSC Baltiysky Zavod Shipyard in St. Petersburg, Russia.
31 May 2002 Casablanca – The Sequel In May 2002 CASABLANCA PILOTS took delivery of a new Halmatic Nelson 35 Pilot boat.
23 May 2002 Halmatic to Supply New Patrol Boats to The Royal Oman Police Coastguard Leading UK boatbuilder Halmatic, part of the Vosper Thornycroft Group, has recently secured a contract to build 20 Halmatic Cougar Enforcer 33 Ultra Fast Patrol Boats for the Royal Oman Police Coastguard. The new craft are to be used for coastal patrol and interception duties along Oman's coastline.
14 May 2002 Vosper Thornycroft Announce Appointment of New Chief Executive In accordance with the plan outlined at the time of the Interim Results, Vosper Thornycroft Holdings plc is now pleased to announce that it has appointed PAUL LESTER (52) as Chief Executive in succession to Martin Jay.
25 April 2002 Merlin demonstrates live DRM transmissions at EC Information Event in Beijing, China Merlin Communications as members of the consortium Digital Radio MondialeTM (DRMTM) have succeeded in running live DRM transmissions from the BBC Thailand Relay Station, with DRM partners BBC World Service and Thales.
10 April 2002 Vosper Mantech Signs Deal to Market Space Technology Getting broadband access into the final destination has been a nightmare for several key players. Wireless technology has seen the field littered with casualties as the technology either has not lived up to expectation or environmental fears have forced a rethink. t
02 April 2002 Come and look behind the scenes at Woolston shipyard! Vosper Thornycroft is to open the doors of its Southampton shipyard to provide visitors with a fascinating insight into one of the UK South Coast's major companies on Saturday, April 27.
01 April 2002 Flagship Appoints a New Managing Director David Mitchard has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Flagship Training Limited, replacing Simon Withey who has been promoted to the position of Managing Director, Joint Ventures, within one of Flagship’s parent companies, Vosper Thornycroft.
26 March 2002 VT to concentrate composites at Portchester Vosper Thornycroft is to concentrate its composite manufacturing facilities on the Portchester Shipyard following the closure of its Woolston, Southampton, facility late next year.
21 March 2002 Vosper Thornycroft starts new Fire Fighting training centre Support Services group Vosper Thornycroft, through its construction sub-contractor Kier,has started work on building a £60m. state-of-the-art Joint Training Centre for the Somerset, Avon and Gloucestershire fire brigades.
14 March 2002 Survey ships add to VT prime contractor experience Vosper Thornycroft (VT) has added to its portfolio of vessels built for the Royal Navy following the naming of HMS Echo, the first of two advanced oceanographic and hydrographic survey ships.
11 March 2002 Halmatic to supply the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Halmatic, one of the leading UK commercial and military boatbuilders, has announced a contract to supply 4 Pacific 32 wheelhouse rigid inflatable boats, 3 Arctic 22 rigid inflatable boats and one RTK Marine 9m Logistic Support Boat to the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).
07 March 2002 VT Controls Moves Office VT Controls has moved to a new location five minutes away from Bush Intercontinental Airport.
04 March 2002 TM1800 ACL-GTA Gas Turbine Alternator Controller Vosper Thornycroft Controls Ltd (VTC) have been awarded a contract by Turbomeca to develop the gas turbine alternator control and monitoring system for the Advanced Cycle Low power - Gas Turbine Alternator (ACL-GTA) project.
01 March 2002 Merlin involved in launch of Envisat Merlin Communications now part of the Vosper Thornycroft Group, has today played a key role in the launch and early orbit phase of Europe's largest and most sophisticated satellite.
18 February 2002 Agreement provides VT with Type 45 go ahead Vosper Thornycroft is to progress plans for its involvement in the construction of the Royal Navy's new Type 45 destroyer following the signing later today of a legally binding agreement with the Prime Contractor BAE SYSTEMS.
22 January 2002 SUBCON 2002 Engineering Services will be exhibiting at Subcon 2002 from 29th April to the 2nd May on stand D15. Please drop in and see us.
07 January 2002 VT supports Portsmouth school in quest for specialist status Vosper Thornycroft (VT) is to back one of Portsmouth's leading schools with £50,000 sponsorship as the Admiral Lord Nelson School seeks to become a centre for business and enterprise excellence.