Ground-breaking firm, hoard-it, has engineered a high tech solution that is helping the army prepare its soldiers for combat.
The Yorkshire-based company has worked closely with the Ministry of Defence to produce bespoke equipment to be used during land-based training exercises across the country.
When the MoD commissioned the company to custom build perimeter fencing for training compounds, the project brought with it a host of challenges.
Operations Director at hoard-it, Stewart Quinn, explained: “Our team worked closely with the MoD to engineer bespoke products to meet their exacting standards and specific needs.”
The project was to involve the intricate development of new materials and products to incorporate elements such as steel rifle rests and ladder support braces needed during the training exercises. The durable panels, designed to withstand the toughest site and weather conditions, were also painted to replicate the environment that personnel might find themselves operating within in the future.
Added hoard-it General Manager, Eddy Archer: “This has been a unique project for us and it has been challenging. But it was an interesting contract involving complex engineering solutions and tight deadlines. The logistics of actually getting the material to a remote site that lacked easy access and roads provided a few challenges for us too.”
The first phase of the hoard-it system was installed within a 250 mile area, with some compounds placed in remote rural areas where the ground was uneven, rocky and, in some places, on steep inclines.
Eddy said: “We were pleased to have been given the opportunity to be involved in such a pioneering project and to be able to engineer the bespoke products and are proud of the end result.”
Stewart added: “It has proved to be a cost effective solution too and could be a long-term saving for the MoD as the products are re-usable and hardwearing and can be used time and time again.”