The loadbeds on the new Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) for the Canadian Forces will be built by Craig Manufacturing.
The Hartland, New Brunswick-based company was awarded the $25 million contract by Marshall Land Systems to produce 845 loadbeds under the MSVS – Standard Military Pattern (SMP) project. Marshall Land Systems is a Tier 1 supplier to Mack Defense, which is the original equipment manufacturer of Canada’s SMP vehicle.
Craig Manufacturing’s work on the SMP project will span four years and create 26 full time jobs.
“Many of us at Craig have friends or family serving in the military and we are honoured to build products for them. Being a part of the MSVS program allows us to create new jobs in New Brunswick both at our facility and within our supply chain,” said Ben Craig, president of Craig Manufacturing. “It also allows us to build a proven supply chain not only for this program, but to leverage other future defence programs such as Canada’s upcoming Logistical Vehicle Modernization program, right here in New Brunswick.”
Craig Manufacturing is a 72-year-old, four generation, family with locations in Cambridge, Ontario and Blackfalds, Alberta that employs about 150 people.
The company specializes in the design and fabrication of attachments for construction equipment and the production of large custom requirements made from steel.
In addition, the company has received a $76,455 repayable contribution from the federal government to purchase a robotic welding system that supports new manufacturing techniques, and enables Craig Manufacturing to increase productivity and meet client demand.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making strategic investments in companies like Craig Manufacturing as it expands in Hartland, building on the expertise and opportunities for skilled work it has brought to our region for so long,” said TJ Harvey, MP for Tobique-Mactaquac. “I am pleased that our government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, has been able to support Craig over the years with various growth and expansion projects.”
In 2015, Mack Defense was awarded $834 million by the Canadian government to deliver 1,587 trucks for the MSVS program along with five years of in-service support. Mack Defense will also provide 318 trailers and 161 armoured cabs as part of the contract.
A condition of the contract included a commitment by Mack Defense to meet the Industrial Regional Benefits (IRB) requirements of this contract and as such Mack Defense developed and implemented a Canadian Supply chain for many of the components of the MSVS-SMP system, including working with its key suppliers. Marshall, as a key supplier for the program, was contracted with responsibilities to develop a Canadian supply chain capable of developing the loadbeds required for this program.
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After evaluating numerous Canadian manufacturers, Marshall selected Craig as their partner for the steel components of the program. Marshall provided design, logistics, quality and program management to Craig Manufacturing for the fulfillment of this program.
“Our government supports small businesses throughout the country. With the Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy, we require contractors to make investments in Canadian small businesses, facilitating access to new markets and creating well-paying middle-class jobs in Canada,” said Navdeep Bains, Canada’s minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. “Through this investment, Craig Manufacturing is creating 26 new jobs and building its supply chain in New Brunswick.”
The loadbeds produced by Craig Manufacturing will be used for the cargo, mobile repair, gun tow and crane material handling variations of the SMP.
“Logistics vehicles like these trucks are used to move critical equipment, personnel and supplies and form the backbone of ground transportation capability of the Canadian Forces fulfilling a critical capability need at an important time for our customer,” said David Hartzell Sr., president of Mack Defense.
