£1Mill Rapid Deployment Secur

RNS Number : 2281P

Westminster Group PLC

23 March 2009

 



23rd March 2009

Westminster Group Plc: 

New Contract Award

Rapid Deployment Scanning Portals for Iraq 

Contract value £1 Million

Westminster Group Plc ('Westminster' or 'the Group'), the AIM listed supplier of system solutions and products to the security, defence, fire protection and safety markets worldwide, announces that it has secured a new contract for the supply of its 'ThruPORT' rapid deployment, high security scanning portals, valued at £1 Million.

The contract was secured by the Group's international division and is for the supply of Westminster's newly developed 'ThruPORT' rapid deployment, high security scanning portals which are to be deployed at airports within Iraq.  The contract will be delivered within the next few months with the revenue being fully recognised in 2009.

ThruPORT is a complete self contained scanning solution, built within a specialised ISO shipping container which is rapidly deployable and can be shipped throughout the world. Once it has arrived on site the unit can be set up and fully operational within hours.

All systems are remotely controlled and monitored from a safe distance together with CCTV surveillance and audio communications links. Should a suspect device be detected, the person can be directed to a separate 'safe' blast controlled search area.

Typical deployment would be some distance from the main building, such as an airport terminal, to ensure that potential blast damage is minimised through its containment in a controlled environment. The system can, in addition, be deployed together with Westminster's vehicle scanning solutions for applications such as border checkpoints.

Westminster developed the ThruPORT concept jointly with ThruVision, who is the market leader in passive standoff terahertz imaging solutions.  Westminster received enquiries from customers for a system which could provide a secure environment for thorough and effective scanning of both people and baggage entering vulnerable or high security sites, such as airports, embassies, military compounds and government buildings, whilst at the same time eliminating or minimising any collateral blast damage should an incident occur.

Each unit contains sophisticated people and baggage scanning solutions allowing for a high throughput of persons, whilst still maintaining a high degree of security.  A typical security check would be for a person to enter the unit through a controlled door, depositing their baggage on a conveyor belt leading to an x-ray scanner. The person proceeds along a corridor and through a metal and weapon detection archway.  At this time the person is being scanned by a passive standoff terahertz imaging unit which will detect hidden weaponry or substances concealed under clothing, without any loss of privacy.  Once the person has passed along the corridor they then pass through a second door into the next corridor where they collect their scanned baggage and leave through another controlled exit door.

Further details on the Westminster ThruPORT solution may be found on their website here www.wg-plc.com/international/security/thruport_security_screening.html

Commenting on the contract award Peter Fowler, Chief Executive of Westminster Group, said:

'I am delighted to be able to announce this latest contract award. It is a valuable contract however, equally importantly, is a testament to our ability to design and provide solutions to meet our clients' needs and to be able to deploy those solutions internationally as required.

'ThruVision has proved to be a good partner; the quality of their products and the professionalism of their team is a good fit with the Westminster mantra of 'Excellence Through Service'!  We look forward to working with them on further bespoke products.

'This latest award means we are starting 2009 on a very positive note!  Westminster started 2009 with an order book of some £4.2m (£1.4m 2008), enquiry and order activity remains healthy with an order intake so far in 2009 already some 28% ahead of that in the same period of 2008'.

Enquiries:

Peter Fowler                          01295 756 300

Chief Executive - Westminster Group Plc

Nicholas Mearing-Smith        01295 756 300

Finance Director - Westminster Group Plc

Clive Carver                           020 7600 1658

FinnCap

Tom Cooper/Paul Vann         0117 920 0092

Winningtons Financial

Notes:

Westminster Group plc is a leader in the supply of system solutions and products to the security, defence, fire protection and safety markets worldwide.

Westminster's principal activity is the design, supply and ongoing support of advanced technology security solutions, risk assessments and close protection services. These can range from product only assignments, such as the supply of specialised scanners, to the design and implementation of an integrated system solution such as a border detection and surveillance system. The majority of its customer base, by value, comprises governments and government agencies, non governmental organisations and blue chip commercial organisations.

 

END

 

 

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