CCE completes the first phase of major regeneration of Heavy Equipment Transporters

CCE’s Phil Ewbank; Pte Carl Linthwaite; CCE’s Michelle Walker; Brigadier, Peter Rafferty, and MP for Rochdale Simon Danczuk

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Commercial Contract Engineers Ltd (CCE) of Rochdale has completed the regeneration of four badly damaged Oshkosh transporters used by the British Army overseas.

For the man driving the latest regenerated vehicle out of the workshop, the event has special meaning. Sponsored Reservist Carl Linthwaite was in the Heavy Equipment Tractor (HET), used to move armoured vehicles when an IED damaged it in Afghanistan.
The vehicles are part of a fleet owned by Fasttrax and operated by KBR FTX Logistics under a MoD capability contract. The 20-year contract, which has been running since December 2001, provides a heavy equipment transport service of 92 new heavy equipment transporters (HET), one third of which are operated by Fasttrax personnel both at home and abroad.

Completion of this first phase of bringing the vehicles back into service in the UK was marked by the visit of Brigadier Peter Rafferty, Head of Operational Support Programmes in MoD Defence Equipment and Support. On Monday 19 August subcontractor CCE handed back the keys to Brigadier Rafferty and contractor Fasttrax.

Accepting the keys to the regenerated HET, Brigadier Rafferty said: “A capability contract like this means the MoD gets highly-skilled drivers when and where it needs them, on operations overseas or here in the UK moving tanks to different locations when we have to have them transported.

“Sponsored reserves are highly skilled personnel who are trained to the highest standards to use the vehicles whether on public roads in the UK or when they are called up, put on military uniform and deploy to operations.

“That expertise is mirrored in the service that we have received from our supplier and its subcontractor during this regeneration. CCE have provided a highly specialised service and we are delighted to be supporting a Rochdale SME in this way.”

Sponsored Army Reservist Carl Linthwaite said: “It’s a great day being able to see this vehicle up and running again. I was thankful that no one was injured when I was in the tractor as it went over the device and exploded, which is a testament to the robust construction of the vehicles and how well they are maintained.”

Phil Ewbank Chairman of CCE Ltd added: “It is really exciting to see the HETs now returning to duty with the MOD, following the work from theatre spec to use on the UK’s roads.

“CCE worked very closely with Fasttrax staff and I feel what we have achieved collectively demonstrates the benefits of public sector working in partnership with private sector contractors.”

Simon Danczuk MP said: “I was delighted to attend the handover of the heavy equipment transporters at Commercial Contract Engineers and I certainly hope the Ministry of Defence will continue to use the services of this first class engineering company in the heart of my constituency.

"If ever proof were needed of the high level of skills and technical ability we have within the work force of Rochdale, then this is it.

"It just goes to show the value of using small and medium sized enterprises to do this vital work for the MoD as these are the kinds of businesses that possess the specialist knowledge and level of professionalism required to undertake such work”.